December 16, 2002

"I have what it takes to compete here."
– Ian Gottesfeld, West Chester Henderson, Saturday December 14, 2002 following his 15:33.5, 21st place at Foot Lockers in San Diego, California

(Photo by Photo Run)


Ian Gottesfeld had a year that exceeded his expectations. Next year, however, qualifying for Foot Lockers and competing near the front have become his expectations.

Gottesfeld, a junior, was arguably the best runner in Pennsylvania this year. He got 5th at the loaded Great American XC Festival in late September. He also won every state invitational he entered, plus the AAA State Championship (pictured below), before finishing 6th at the Northeast Foot Locker qualifier November 30th. He then joined Scranton Prep's Jonathon Pastore (30th- 16:03.9) on a trip to San Diego to race against the other 30 top runners from the regional races.

After a great 2001 season as a sophomore where he finished 4th at States, Gottesfeld missed the spring season with a stress fracture. The hiatus gave him a lot of time to think about where he would be this season. "You're really unsure of yourself. So going into this season, I didn’t know where I'd be. But I got more confidence when I started winning."

By regionals, he knew he could run with the top guys. In fact, he was leading the race with 100 meters remaining before an uncharacteristic loss of concentration dropped him to 6th. But after a raceless four weeks between States and the Regionals, getting to Nationals was a bonus. "I was not looking toward this race (Nationals). My season exceeded my expectations."

While his 15:33.5 21st place showing wasn't what he had in mind, (the top 15 are named all-Americans), he was pleased with his race in general. His strategy was to get out with the group, but to make sure not to go out too hard. "I wanted to catch people who died. I passed some, but most didn't come back. I ran with the 2nd place guy from the Northeast (Hakon DeVries - 20th), and that helped at the end."

According to Gottesfeld, the experience itself (along with hanging out with honorary Northeast captain Bernard Lagat) were the highlights of the meet. "To be hit with all these famous guys at once, and treating them like competitors, I have to get used to racing these people. But I have what it takes to compete here." He credits the workouts set by first-year Henderson coach Kevin Kelly with giving him the strength to get this far. We ran more workouts this season than last, and ran training runs at a faster pace."

His growing confidence this past season is what has changed his perspective for the outdoor season and his ensuing senior campaign. After a few weeks off, he'll use indoor as a training season for outdoor, and then look to get in a stronger summer of preparation for next year's XC season. "Let's see how I do after I run outdoor. I want to train harder next summer so I can focus on peaking for nationals."

But getting back to the big event is never a given. Especially with all those juniors on the Northeast squad. Gottesfeld ran 4th for the Northeast, and had three juniors ahead of him. Also on the Northeast team this year were another junior and a sophomore. "I'll have to work very hard to get back here."

Should he be fortunate enough to make it back to San Diego in 2003, Gottesfeld won't just have personal goals in mind. With such a young team, he believes the Northeast can win next year. "There is a team concept here. It's more important than I thought it would be. The Midwest guys ran together. They were really close. In fact, one morning they all came down to the lobby in bathrobes. But I'm excited about the Northeast next year. This year I wasn't geared for this race. It was just a bonus. Next year I'm looking to place high and help the Northeast win."

Gottesfeld was very impressed with Chris Solinsky, the winner from the Midwest who ran the 3rd fastest time ever posted on the course. "He was so strong." And Ian noticed other differences between the squad from the Northeast and those from the Midwest and West - "they're not as pale."

Another visit out west in 2003 will help that.

 

 

Winning the Abington Invitational 9/14 (below)