Two Santa Clarita track stars were successful at the U.S. Track and Field National Championships in Eugene, Ore., over the weekend.
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Allyson Felix and Alysia Montano won the Women’s 400- and 800-meter events, respectively.
For Felix, it was her 10th U.S. Championship victory and her second in the 400-meter race.
“I didn’t know I had it until after I crossed the line,” said Felix of the race, which she won with a time of 50.19 seconds, six-tents faster then second place.
“Coming off the curve, I just buckled down and went for it.”
Montano won her sixth 800-meter event to tie her for first in all-time victories in the event with Madeline Manning.
This year’s victory was special for Montano as last year she ran in the event while eight months pregnant with her daughter, who was in the stands for the event this year.
“The difference between this year and last? Thirty pounds,” said Montano, a Canyon High School grad who works out at COC.
“This year, I wanted my daughter to see her mom get out there and compete, even though I wasn’t sure if I was prepared. She won’t be able to remember this, obviously, but she’ll get to see the video and say, ‘I was there.’”
Montano finished nearly six tents of a second ahead of second place, breaking away from the pack in the final 200 meters to finish with a time of 1:59.15.
“Coming back from pregnancy and winning a national title – I didn’t know it would happen this soon. I’ve had to scale back my training, and I’m still breastfeeding.”
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