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National 15 km Results
Media contact: Al Heppner
Phone: 619-410-1181
North American Racewalking Institute
June 1, 2003
For immediate release
Clausen victorious, Michelle Rohls
Evansville, IN--Michelle Rohl, a three-time Olympian and a mother of four, picked up right were she left off in winning the National 15 km Racewalk Championship in 1 hour, 10 minutes, 21 seconds. Curt Clausen, a two-time Olympian, earned his first National 15 km title in a time of 1:06:22.
Rohl got off to a quick start and already had a substantial lead at 5 km (23:21) over a pair of Parkside Athletic Club walkers, Jolene Moore and Sam Cohen.
"My training has been on and off. When it's been 'on', I've had some real quality workouts, but I've been quite busy with other pursuits as well," Rohl said.
In addition to chasing around four little ones, Rohl is also the assistant cross country/track & field coach at Mansfield University.
Rohl went through 10 km in 46:52, before coasting in for the championship. Just a couple of minutes later, Jolene Moore (1:12:59) held off a late charge from Sam Cohen (1:13:08) to capture second. Defending Champion Amber Antonia, coming off a stress fracture that sidelined her most of the winter, was a strong fourth in 1:15:56,
"Making it to World Championships is not my goal. My only goal is to get the Olympic 'A' Standard. From there, I'll decide what I want to do. There are no races this year that I feel I have to do," said the 37-year-old Rohl.
Clausen didn't have to do this race either, especially coming off a 50 km last weekend. But he felt good in a 12 km workout on Friday and was a late entry into the championships. His spontaneity paid off today.
Clausen wasn't alone in the early going, but the surprise was who was with him. 38-year-old Dave McGovern appears to be rounding into the form that made him the fifth-fastest American 20 km walker of all time. McGovern was stride for stride with Clausen through nearly 7 km, passing the 5 km mark with him in 22:39. The Army's Al Heppner trailed by as much as 50 meters. Just before 7 km, Heppner passed McGovern and caught Clausen.
"It felt pretty easy cardiovascular-wise, especially early on. But it's hard to maintain the fast paces I need in Mobile (Alabama), because it's so incredibly hot and humid there now," explained McGovern.
Clausen and Heppner reached 10 km in 44:56, at which point Clausen dropped the pace to 4:14. Heppner hung on until 11 km, but Clausen maintained and Heppner slowed to 4:23 over the last four, which accounted for the difference.
"The race was a progression. Each 5 km was faster and that's what I wanted," said Clausen. The NYAC walker went 22:39, 22:17, and 21:26, to Heppner's 22:46, 22:10, and 22:02.
Clausen added, "I'm happy to get the win, considering I've never won this race before."
This was Clausen's 20th US National Title overall. He'll go for blackjack at the US Championships on June 20.
New Balance National 15 km Championships
Men's Results
Name Age Town Time Mile pace
1 Curt Clausen 35 Chula Vista, CA 1:06:22 7:08
2 Al Heppner 29 Chula Vista, CA 1:06:58 7:12
3 Dave McGovern 38 Mobile, AL 1:09:12 7:26
4 Michael Stanton 22 Mendare, WI 1:09:29 7:28
5 Jim Robinson 22 Lake View, OH 1:11:17 7:39
6 Matt De Witt 23 Mobile, AL 1:11:59 7:44
7 Pablo Gomez 31 Mexico 1:12:57 7:50
8 Gary Morgan 43 Clarkston, MI 1:13:25 7:53
9 Bill Vayo 38 White Plains, NY 1:14:39 8:01
10 Eric Smith 21 Enon, OH 1:15:20 8:05
11 Rod Craig 45 Bad Axe, MI 1:16:15 8:11
12 Leon Jasionowsk 58 Shelby TWP, MI 1:19:02 8:29
13 Don Denoon 60 Clermont, FL 1:19:44 8:34
14 Max Walker 56 Greenwood, IN 1:20:03 8:36
15 Vince Peters 49 Yellow Spr, OH 1:20:49 8:41
16 Douglas Johnson 43 Morganfield, KY 1:21:36 8:46
17 Ed Fitch 42 Mechanics, OH 1:21:50 8:47
18 Richard McGuire 55 LaGra Park, IL 1:22:19 8:50
19 Drew Swonder 39 Evansville, IN 1:23:18 8:57
20 Bill Reed 50 Edger, WI 1:23:43 8:59
21 James Carmines 59 Etters, PA 1:26:24 9:17
22 Paul Johnson 65 Fort Smith, AR 1:26:47 9:19
23 John Fredericks 55 Orlando, FL 1:29:55 9:39
24 John Lucke 39 Columbus, IN 1:30:53 9:46
25 Craig Woodall 49 Indianapolis, IN 1:38:15 10:33
26 Evan Crowdus 13 Morganfield, KY 1:38:23 10:34
27 Cedric Hustace 69 Evansville, IN 1:46:55 11:29
28 Bernie Finch 63 Pepin, WI 1:50:17 11:50
Women's 15 km
Name Age Town Time Place
1 Michelle Rohl 37 Mansfield, PA 1:10:21 7:33
2 Jolene Moore 37 Northbrook, IL 1:12:59 7:50
3 Sam Cohen 25 Racine, WI 1:13:08 7:51
4 Amber Antonia 23 Cudahy, WI 1:15:56 8:09
5 Bobbi Jo Chapman 29 Charlston, WV 1:16:44 8:14
6 Pamela Murkowski 22 Edger, WI 1:23:43 8:59
7 Heidi Hauch 43 Scottsdale, AZ 1:26:04 9:14
8 Amanda Johnson 14 Morganfield, KY 1:35:47 10:17
9 Kelli Johnson 19 Morganfield, KY 1:36:51 10:24
10 Amanda Huff 14 Morganfield, KY 1:39:16 10:39
11 Tish Roberts 53 Fishers, IN 1:40:39 10:48
12 Joan Byrne 48 Evansville, IN 1:42:33 11:01
13 Cathy Mayfield 51 Indianapolis, IN 1:43:22 11:06
14 Doris McGuire 54 LaGra Park, IL 1:46:58 11:29
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