Debalsi takes New Englands, next goal: FL

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Hannah Debalsi had no idea what the course record was at New Hampshire's Derryfield Park when she went to the starting line at the New England Championships last Saturday.

But the Staples (Connecticut) sophomore soon found out that her 17:15.8 victory was something special. It bettered a mark set by two-time Foot Locker champion (1997-98) Erin Sullivan of Vermont.

All Debalsi was trying to do is win.

"I didn't really know what to expect," said Debalsi, who is undefeated this fall and ranked No. 6 in the DyeStat individual rankings. "I looked at some of (the top girls') times and knew they were all fast."

But Rhode Island's Emma McMillan and Eliza Rego, and Vermont's Aumumn Eastman, and Connecticut's Claire Howlett, couldn't keep up with Debalsi when she decided to make her move on the descent after the first of the course's two hills.

"It was a big pack for the first mile," Debalsi said. "We went out pretty slowly."

Debalsi had in recent weeks beat Howlett three times -- at the county, CT class and state open meets. She tapered a bit for New Englands and her performance was her best so far. (Howlett was second on Saturday in 17:39.5).

"I think I ran my hardest (of the year)," she said. "I felt a little more rested."

Next up for Debalsi is the Foot Locker regional. At this point -- with Sarah Baxter, Alexa Efraimson and Elise Cranny all preparing for NXN -- Debalsi may be a serious Foot Locker threat. Defending champion Anna Rohrer has been injured this season. Taylor Werner of Missouri and Makena Morley of Montana are likely to be on a short list of contenders for the crown Debalsi seeks in San Diego.

"My goal all season has been Foot Locker," Debalsi said. "Hopefully I'll perform pretty well there."