Road Runners Club of America Announces 2005 Class of "Roads Scholars"
Posted Monday, 20 June, 2005
Contact: Brent Ayer, (301) 788-3757
COLUMBIA, Md. - (June 17, 2005) - The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has announced its 2005 class of "Roads Scholars." This year's class consists of emerging national distance running stars Trent Briney (Rochester Hills, MI), James Carney (Marina, CA), Luci Hull (Raleigh, NC), Ann McGranahan (Blacksburg, VA), Mike Morgan (Lincoln, NE) and Casey Owens (Springfield, MO).
Since 1996, the RRCA has awarded stipends under the Roads Scholar program. The funds for this program come from the donations of individual runners and running events around the country. The intent of the program is to assist top American post collegiate runners who, while struggling financially, show great promise to develop into accomplished national and world class road running athletes.
In announcing the class, RRCA President Bee Andrews said, "It is really heartening to be able to assist talented, young runners. This nation has a very strong school competitive system. However, far too many talented post-collegians are left to 'go it alone.'"
According to Road Scholars committee chair, and past RRCA President, Carl Sniffen, "a number of Roads Scholars have become Olympians with one Olympic medalist. In fact, this year's selection committee contained U.S. Olympians and past Road Scholars, Deena Kastor and Dan Browne. It's wonderful to have played a part in their success. The committee is challenged each year to select four to six recipients from a much larger pool of deserving athletes. I expect this year's class to be one of our best ever."
The 2005 "Roads Scholars" Class
James Carney: Carney is a 27-year-old runner currently living in Marina, California and training with the Big Sur Distance Project and Coach Bob Sevene. His recent performances include 6th at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 meters (28:31.82) and a fourth place finish at the 2005 USA 15K Championship in 44:17. The Penn State grad has put his professional career on hold to reach his running potential and become a world-class runner.
Trent Briney: Briney is also 27-years-old. He lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan and trains with the Hansons-Brooks Olympic Distance Project. At the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, he ran a personal record 2:12:35 to finish 4th and served as an alternate for the Athens Olympic Games. Of running, Briney says, "It gives me a great opportunity to be a role model for younger people. I enjoy showing them what dedication, dreams, work ethic and never giving up can do for them. I like to set an example of the type of character that will enable their passion or passions in life to bloom."
Mike Morgan: Morgan is a 25-year-old runner living in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2005, the Team Nebraska Brooks athlete ran 1:04:48 at the USA Half-Marathon Championship in Houston, Texas. According to Morgan, "Running has had a positive affect for me physically, socially and psychologically." His favorite workout consists of a two mile warm-up followed by eight miles of negative split running, starting at 6 minute pace and working down to a 4:45 per mile pace. "This workout is as tough as nails, but it is something that I can fall back on mentally and physically when I am hurting late in a race."
Luci Hull: Hull is a 24-year-old runner living in Raleigh, North Carolina. Among her recent performances are a 27:37 at the USA 8K Championship and a 26:55 at the Outback 8K. According to Hull, "Since I began running as a high school freshmen, I have found a steady and growing passion for the sport. With each year, my devotion and intensity have developed to the point where competitive running is a large part of my life and even defines who I am." The North Carolina State grad adds, "The Roads Scholar grant is a great fit for me because it was designed to help athletes like myself who struggle financially and show great promise to develop into world class athletes."
Ann McGranahan: McGranahan is a 26-year-old runner who has recently relocated to Blacksburg, Virginia. Previously, she had trained at ZAP Fitness in North Carolina under the tutelage of Coach Pete Rea following her career at Villanova University. Her goals are to train consistently with a sound training program and to race well at the national and international levels. As a volunteer assistant coach at Virginia Tech, McGranahan has access to training facilities and coaching. More importantly, she has an opportunity to be a positive example for the younger runners at Virginia Tech. She has a track 5K PR of 15:46.78 at the 2003 USA Outdoor Track Championships.
Casey Owens: Owens is a 23-year-old runner who lives in Springfield, Missouri. Although she has used up her collegiate eligibility, she will graduate from Southwest Missouri State University in December. Her performances include a 33:36 10,000m at the 2005 Stanford Invitational and a 16:15 5000m at the 2005 Iowa State Open Indoor.
The RRCA is America's largest grassroots running organization. It is comprised of 670 clubs, representing 160,000 members. Visit its website at: RRCA.org
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org
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