VanderLende Has Record Pace In Mind At Brooks 2-Mile

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

When Rockford High MI coach Ben Watson speaks about Ericka VanderLende, he talks about progression.

VanderLende made steady progress throughout four years in Michigan, an uphill journey that has made her one of the best high school runners in the nation.

"It didn't just show up," Watson said of VanderLende's success. "She was a girl who did not go to state her freshman year in track. It took her until her junior year to gain all-state honors, and then to go to where we're talking about, she's run the fastest time in state history ... it's really, truly incredible." 

This Saturday, Vanderlende has a chance to add to her remarkable story as she's set to run in the Brooks PR Invitational 2-mile at The University of Washington in Seattle (3 p.m. PDT). 

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"We try to do some dreaming and so forth, and we set lofty expectations for her," Watson said. "I would say we've drawn up race plans to definitely break 9:50." 

It's an ambitious sounding plan for the soft-spoken senior, but for Watson, an individual who knows VanderLende better than most, he's witnessed first-hand her unique drive to be the best. He's seen her progress from 11:23 in the 3,200 meters to sub-10 minutes. 

"I think she started to enjoy the benefits of working hard and getting fast," Watson said. "She matured quite quickly in that way. She's always been willing to progress." 

VanderLende also loves to win. It's a desire that Watson said he had to help her manage early on as a runner.

"She's always has this desire to be the first person in the race. That was clearly the goal," Watson said. "So we had lots of talks about, 'We are not ready for that yet.' If we do what we need to do, we will be able to be there one day." 

Now, with just one race left in her high school career before she heads off to the University of Michigan, VanderLende is in a great position to win. She is less than two weeks removed from producing two lifetime bests in the 800 (2:11.32) and 1,600 (4:41.00) at the MHSAA Division I Championships. She's hoping to add another personal best this Saturday. 

"I know that I'm in the best shape I can be in going into a pretty competitive field," VanderLende said. "I'm looking forward to getting a PR."

A year ago at Brooks, she became the first high school girl in Michigan history to go under 10 minutes, clocking 9:59.92 to finish fifth. 

"That was not something I expected going into the race," she said. “(That was) the hardest I ever pushed myself." 

This weekend she’ll be up against Katelynne Hart of Glenbard West IL, Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlins WY and Emily Covert of Washburn MN, among others. 

While a time under 9:50 would mean a big personal best, and a national high school record, VanderLende's history indicates she’s ready to give it a shot. 

Brie Oakley broke the high school record when she ran 9:51.35 at the Brooks PR Invite two years ago. Katelyn Tuohy ran 9:47.88 for the 3,200-meter record at the Loucks Games in 2018.

“She’s clearly in the best shape of her life,” Watson said. “Her workouts say she’s got a shot. She has to have a really good race, but she can do it.”