EL RACE WALKERS DOMINATE AT NEW BALANCE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Special to MaineTrackXC by Tom Menedez
Edward High School senior Abby Dunn solidified her reputation as one of the best race walkers to come out of the state of Maine on Saturday at the New Balance National Track and Field Meet. Walking in a crowded field of 51 competitors she outpaced the competition to win her second indoor championship in a personnel best and national leading time of 7:28.13. With 51 walkers crowding the track the plan was to stay out of trouble, not get boxed in and wait for the right moment to strike. Not falling into the trap of chasing the early leaders who attempted to set a fast pace, Abby settled in with the lead pack and patiently reeled them in as she raced her own race and stuck with the pre-meet plan. Then with a little over 500 meters to go, and sitting in a pack of 5 walkers, Abby started her long sprint to the finish that no one was able to match finishing 6 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. When asked how this compared to her National Championship 2 years age she said, "this was even better. It never gets old".
Also in the race was Lewiston's Nicole Court-Menendez who finished 13 breaking her previous school record. The other Maine racer was Katie Flanders of Gorham who finished 6th.
The boys race provided an unexpected champion. Novice walker Luc Bourget, an Edward Little junior, who has been training with coach Tom Menendez's Lewiston race walk group for only a short time came out of nowhere winning the event in 7:17.03 with a personnel best and the second fastest time in the nation this year. This gave Edward Little High School two National Champions. A feat unmatched in the state of Maine in any event. Not having much race walk experience Luc's plan was to stay near the head of the pack and see what his options were as the race progressed. Sticking to the plan Luc took the lead with 525 meters left leaving his nearest competitor to wonder where this new kid had come from while winning by 7 seconds over Medomack Valley High School senior Ian Rixon, who settled for second place. Fourth place went to another Edward Little junior Adam Robinson who earned an All-American certificate for his effort. On the way to NYC to compete Luc commented that it was really silly to travel 14 hours to race for 7 minutes. However after the race when asked if he still felt that way he stated " even though it was a long trip it was well worth it".
Luc and the rest of the athletes are part of a group of race walkers coached by Monmouth Academy coach Tom Menendez of Lewiston. When asked to comment on the phenomenal success of his walkers he commented, " Winning is the easy part. People fail to realize the amount of time, effort and energy these kids put in out of site of everyone. They have to give up a lot but the opportunities are there, all you have to do is go for it with your heart and soul." Including this weekend Coach Menendez has coached 4 mile national champions, 4 one hour national champions and 4 one hour team national champions.