Athlete of the Week - Josh Simpson

The AotW for January 11th-17th is Josh Simpson. Josh ran 1:03:26 at the Houston Half Marathon, also the USATF Half Marathon Championship, for 8th place. He's been getting in some great workouts in the Shell, and this is the result. (Artistic representation of training in the Shell building here.) Josh's next stop is USATF Cross, where he'll try to qualify for World XC. Best of luck. Special tip o' the cap to Alex Dent and Josie Crouch. If any other AAA girl harbors a desire to win a distance title this spring, you had better be training terrified.

Athlete of the Week - Jacob Burcham

The AotW for January 4th - 10th is Jacob Burcham a freshman at Cabell Midland High School. Over the weekend Mr. Burcham completed a 4:35.82/2:07.30 double at the Marietta College HS Open Meet #1, winning the 1600m and placing 2nd in the 800m. This weekend essentially kicked off the indoor season and Jacob looks to be a force on the track all through the winter and spring. Special tip 'o the cap to the other high schoolers who got their indoor seasons started, especially Josie Crouch (2:22.87) and Alex Dent (5:21.29). Track has finally returned...

Athlete of the Week - Santa Claus

The AotW for December 14th - January 3rd is, once again, Santa Claus. Santa worked pretty hard this year and executed another perfect Christmas. 2009 is coming to a close, which can only mean one thing...

Athlete of the Week - Josh Simpson

The AotW for December 7th-13th is Josh Simpson. Josh ran 29:27 (10K, XC) at the USATF Club Nationals to finish 2nd in a tough field. Abandoned for dead after 18 months of injuries and sickness (and obviously over-the-hill at the elderly age of 25), Josh has rebounded back to his accustomed elite level. With another month of training in his legs, the early part of 2010 ought to be exciting. There are a few interviews of him after the race at flotrack, if you are so inclined. Josh trains out of Morgantown, is coached by Sean Cleary and is sponsored by the New York Athletic Club. Next on his agenda is the Houston Half Marathon and then USATF Cross Country Nationals. Best of luck to him in January.

Athlete of the Week - Alex Dent

The AotW for November 30th to December 6th is Alex Dent of Hurricane High School. Ms. Dent wins her AotW for her race the weekend prior at Foot Locker South. Alex ran 18:14, which is the third fastest time on that course by a West Virginian girl, and placed an outstanding 35th. Ms. Dent has put in thousands of miles and it's great to see the big payoff from all that work. Good luck to her as she finishes out her high school career later in the spring.