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Christenson a growing talent
Published Friday, May 2, 2008
Rhoda Christenson comes from a running family so she is right in the middle of her comfort zone when she is moving.
Father Dave is Hillcrest’s cross country coach. Sisters Anna and Tabitha ran for the Comets until they graduated. Brother Michael and sister Julia are Rhoda’s teammates.
The Hillcrest freshman has been having a good spring on the track. She recently took top honors in the 1,600 at the K.T. Smith in Breckenridge.
“What was huge about that race was that she took the lead and kept it,” said Hillcrest head coach Allen Aase. “This was the first time she went out and ran her own race.”
Christenson came right back Thursday and took first in the 1,600 at the Hank Emmel in Pelican Rapids with a 5:50.10. She was runner-up in the 800 with a 2:35.16. Her performance gave her a share of the Most Outstanding Female Distance Runner award.
Christenson’s strategy until the K.T. Smith was to pick out the fastest runner on the track and stay close to them. Aase has supported her in this strategy.
“She’s learned much quicker that way,” said Aase. “For her to get even better she has to learn to manage her own pace.”
Christenson already has to school record in the mile, a 5:36, but she wants to shave six seconds off that record this spring.
“I have certain times I want to run and I just try and beat them,” said Christenson.
Christenson is not eligible to run in the state meet this year if she earns a top finish in the section because she is still a part-time student at Hillcrest. That’s okay with her. She is in no hurry, dreams of a state trip can wait, and grow.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by SallyRay (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go! Keep it up!!!
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