June 23, 2003
Freshman Molly Huddle (Elmira, N.Y.) capped her outstanding freshman year late Sunday night by easily winning the USA Junior Track and Field 3,000-meter individual title. Huddle finished the race in 9:19.52, a time which put her 25 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor (Megan Kaltenback, 9:44.21).
The U.S. title puts an exclamation point on a great freshman season by Huddle. She helped the Irish women’s cross country team record its top finish at the NCAA Championship in the fall, finishing sixth overall and helping Notre Dame take third place as a team. She concentrated on the 3,000 meters for the indoor track and field season, earning all-BIG EAST and All-America honors while helping the distance medley relay team to the conference championship. Huddle ran the 5,000 meters for most of the outdoor season. She set the U.S. Junior record in the event at the Mt. SAC Relays (15:36.95) and won the BIG EAST title as well. At the NCAA Championship two weeks ago, Huddle finished fourth in 15:55.56.
A three-time All-American already in her young career (cross country, indoor 3,000 meters, outdoor 5,000 meters), Huddle will return to a talented veteran cross country team next fall, hoping to help the Irish contend for the national championship.
Graduated senior Tameisha King, who capped her Notre Dame career at the NCAA Championship with a third-place finish in the long jump two weeks ago, also competed at the USA Track and Field Championships. King’s third-place finish in the long jump was her third outdoor All-America honors of her career (fourth overall) and tied JoAnna Deeter for the highest-ever finish by an Irish female athlete at the NCAA outdoor championship.
In the USATF Championship on Saturday, King’s best measurement of 6.43m (21-1 1/4) in the second flight ended up fourth overall behind Grace Upshaw (6.64m), Rose Richmond (6.56m) and Jenny Adams (6.45m).