Seeded Girls - Ari Lambie and New York

story and photos by John Dye

Nicole Blood led Ari Lambie into the woods after one mile, but Lambie was right where she wanted to be. "I didn't want to take it out too fast before the hills," Lambie said. The Massachusetts champion moved to the front early in the second mile in the hills and quickly put a 15-20 meter gap on Blood. "I tried to surge back," said Blood, who had a cold during the week, "but she was too strong. After that, I decided not to tire myself out too early." Blood settled for an easy qualifier in second place, and Lambie had a surprisingly routine victory over the ace of the 2-time national #1 Saratoga Springs NY team. Next was Katy Trotter, but twin sister Amanda did not go with her surge at the end of the second mile and was a non-qualifier at 11th.

Lambie eyes the finish line . . .	and breaks the tape held by Bob Kennedy.

Lambie wanted to take it easy in the first mile, but key on Blood and not let her get away. "After the first mile, it was so close I decided to make my move," she said. "I felt strong the whole race except getting to the top of the hills. Then I realized it was downhill the rest of the way, and I felt good then to the finish."
near the end of the first mile on the flat plain	at 1.25 miles in the woods

Blood led Lambie in the first mile
 
photo by Lisa Coniglio