During her 2008-2009 year with Illinois, Angela placed 6th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, won the NCAA Outdoor 5,000m title, and placed 3rd at the US Championships in the 5,000m. In her final… + See More +
During her 2008-2009 year with Illinois, Angela placed 6th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, won the NCAA Outdoor 5,000m title, and placed 3rd at the US Championships in the 5,000m. In her final… + See More
- See Less - During her 2008-2009 year with Illinois, Angela placed 6th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, won the NCAA Outdoor 5,000m title, and placed 3rd at the US Championships in the 5,000m. In her final cross country season, Angela defeated some heavyweights to take home the 2009 Individual NCAA Cross Country Title.
#48
Sub6miler December 5, 2009 at 3:34am
Great girl, ran a very smart race. Stuck to her game plan and was the best on the most important day. Not to mention she's a really pretty gal
She is really becoming a force to be reckoned with. This type of a race is becoming the trademark af Angela - hang in the pack and then put the hammer down at the end. She doesn't have the fastest kick but can maintain that closing speed for such a long time. If you haven't seen her closing in the PreNats, watch it here on FloTrack. It was simply amazing! Congrats, Angela..you deserved the win. Link to PreNats: http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234565-2009-brooks-isu-pre-nationals/204725-prenats-womens-white-race
Cara Hawkins said: “Favorite use of that Kanye reference..
Completely agreed. Races are run to see who is the best on that day. Bizzarri was the best that day.
It is hard in running not to compare performances to others' performances or previous performances because results are times. In other sports like soccer or football, it is easy to dispute who is the best. In running, we all know who is the fastest because a time is a time (you can't dispute say that Usain Bolt is the fastest in 100 meters, he has that time but you can argue if Peyton Manning or Brett Farve is the better quaterback). By having these hard facts in running, it often takes away from someone else's race because people can say "If (insert name) ran what they ran earlier this year they would have beat (insert name)"
Bizzari worked hard and had a good race to win the National championships so lets not take that away from her.”
Angela, you rock! It is amazing how complicated everyone wants to make this win with all the "ifs" and "woulda/shoulda", but that is what makes our sport so awesome... you line everyone up on a line and say "first one to the finish, wins." It really is that simple. And pure. Angela beat every single other woman to the finish. She wins. Congrats!!!
I for one am glad my awkward HS photos are now collecting dust in the yearbook, so I'm sure Angela appreciates these old photos being dug up (lol...but thanks for sharing).
Also, can we please stop with the Jenny B should have this, or Susan K should have that comments. It is one thing for us to analyze a race, but it is just wrong when that turns into negativity. ANGELA IS THE CHAMP. All runners (collegiate, post-collegiate, fast, slow, or otherwise) have good days and bad days. If we ran a perfect race each and every time out, the sport would probably get boring. Anything can happen in a race, and THIS IS WHY WE RUN.
Hey Teeg, you wrote
"but to be the best you have to perform at the big meets with the big dogs. It's one thing to be way ahead all season then actually have someone beside you can change everything."
are you implying that Jenny B does not perform at the Big Race? How ludicrous. Think about the US Olympic Trials, the Olympics, the World Championships and the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Jenny B rose to the occasion every time. This takes nothing away from Angela's championship performance; I just wanted to point out that slandering Jenny B is foolish.
It was a very strange race; no one could have predicted what happened. But Angela is now the reigning champ; she ran an excellent race and deserves full credit for her accomplishment. She too has a bright future in front of her.
If you've followed Angela in 2009 if she is close in a big race she is going to finish strong from the 5000's last spring to pre-nats and yesterday she has a determination to get it done and always comes through
I'm so happy for you Angela! You ran an amazing race. And to those who have no class and say it was a gift... that is horrible to say, because even how suzy put it, "Everyone has there things, and I don't want to make excuses." Angela, just like Jenny, Is a senior in college dealing with the fact that its her last race and balancing school and everything pulled it off beautifully. Everyone out there has there things and the people who can push through it and overcome it like Angela and kendra and even Suzy pushing through her pain are AMAZING. those are the people to look out to. Jenny is a great runner, but there is no need to have a 24 minute interview of excuses. Because if you are a runner you know what happens out there, the race is just as mental as physical. She just completely broke down, and not even subtlely. it was full blown drama. She's had a great season but to be the best you have to perform at the big meets with the big dogs. It's one thing to be way ahead all season then actually have someone beside you can change everything.
Congrats Angela! Just know how much you deserved this. It wasn't a fluke, it was pure guts, smarts and speed.
Justin Kopunek said: “"Yo Angela, I’m really happy for you…Imma let you finish, but Jenny had one of the best ncaa careers of all time! One of the best careers of all time!"
Some of these comments below are a little too Kanye trying to take something great away from her. Races are run for a reason and you never know when it will be your day and when it wolnt, you just have to work hard to be at the top of your fitness for breakouts when it is your day and to keep you in it when its not.”
Favorite use of that Kanye reference..
Completely agreed. Races are run to see who is the best on that day. Bizzarri was the best that day.
It is hard in running not to compare performances to others' performances or previous performances because results are times. In other sports like soccer or football, it is easy to dispute who is the best. In running, we all know who is the fastest because a time is a time (you can't dispute say that Usain Bolt is the fastest in 100 meters, he has that time but you can argue if Peyton Manning or Brett Farve is the better quaterback). By having these hard facts in running, it often takes away from someone else's race because people can say "If (insert name) ran what they ran earlier this year they would have beat (insert name)"
Bizzari worked hard and had a good race to win the National championships so lets not take that away from her.
"Yo Angela, I’m really happy for you…Imma let you finish, but Jenny had one of the best ncaa careers of all time! One of the best careers of all time!"
Some of these comments below are a little too Kanye trying to take something great away from her. Races are run for a reason and you never know when it will be your day and when it wolnt, you just have to work hard to be at the top of your fitness for breakouts when it is your day and to keep you in it when its not.
Merry Xmas from Jenny B said: “Angela ran a good race, but the meltdowns of Jenny B & Kujiken are what enabled Angela to win. The phrase "I'd rather be lucky than good" fit this scenario perfectly. Angela even admits that she was shocked to win because SHE KNOWS that she's NOT AS GOOD AS JENNY B & KUJIKEN....MERRY XMAS FROM JENNY B BECAUSE YOUR WIN WAS A GIFT”
This is a totally classless comment from an obviously classless person. I am not taking anything away from Jenny Barringer, who probably has more class in 1 ounce of her body than you have in your entirety of yours, but nobody gifted Angela anything. She is a smart woman and ran a smart race. She is now an 8 time All-American and the current defending 5,000 NCAA champion in track and field. She didn’t achieve these accomplishments from “gifts.”
Angela, When the race of the year came, you conquered. When the most important day was here, you made it count. Thats what matters. There will be days when being first will fall short. But not this day, because you were NUMBER ONE!
See you in the spring.
Don't want to forget about Kendra Schaaf either. PAC-10's, West Regional, and the Nationals. Three great races for only a Sopre at Washington. They'll be celebrating in Saskatchewan (try spelling that three times real fast) today!
It has been interesting watching the Ladies race and subsequent interviews/blogs/reviews.
I have to say Angela has a good attitude. She doesn't seem to have received the credit she deserves. All the posting on the other two girls who lost out for various reasons is getting a little sad. At the end of the day, Angela was the best athlete on the day yetserday and that's why she won. Angela is NCAA Champion. It really is that simple.
True champions won't give excuses. They accept they weren't good enough on the day, learn, and move on.
She ran the smartest race. Susan and Jenny are great runners, but on that day...Angela Bizzarri was the best distance woman in collegiate running. People need to remember crazy stuff always happens at NCAAs...Angela handled it the best. She's great! Congrats girl.
Merry Xmas from Jenny B said: “Angela ran a good race, but the meltdowns of Jenny B & Kujiken are what enabled Angela to win. The phrase "I'd rather be lucky than good" fit this scenario perfectly. Angela even admits that she was shocked to win because SHE KNOWS that she's NOT AS GOOD AS JENNY B & KUJIKEN....MERRY XMAS FROM JENNY B BECAUSE YOUR WIN WAS A GIFT”
On any given day a race can be won or lost by a favorite. That is why they run the races and play the games (Steelers v Chiefs last weekend- Was it a gift? no! On that day the Chiefs were better and won) The same thing happens in running. Jenny B was off and so was Kuijken and for Angela to have the race plan she had she knew something may happen. She planned for it and won.
Very smart race as usual Angie. When push comes to shove in the last 400 meters this is the one who has more left in her gas tank than anyone. It's just the smart way to run. She does it in almost every race.
I can't understand some the negativtiy that is written in these blogs. We all know that anyone can win on any given day. Nothing in this sport is so predictable. I don't understand that someone would take away from what a great race this was. I don't think this was a GIFT from anyone. I saw Angela run 2x this Fall and she is tough. I think she stuck to her race plan, was mentally tough when needed and it all came together for her. She has the talent, that is obvious. I know we all have our favorites and sometimes they win and sometimes they don't. We can't peak at every race, every time and anyone that takes the time to login and comment on these sites, probably have runa a few miles and races to know that. Anyway, another GIFT was in '78 after a great summer of 4 world records, Rono decided to GIFT the race to Salazar. I'm sure Alberto is still thanking Henry for that one.
Congrats to Angela for her win at NCAAs ! Great way to end the season and CC collegiate career. Good luck with the upcoming track seasons (indoor and outdoor). With Jenny B. and the other ladies at the front, that race would have been a fantastic finish !
Give credit where it is due. On this day Anegal ran the best race and won!! She has a NCAA 5K championship herself and has continued to improve year over year. If the impovement continues ... who knows. Congrats.
Merry Xmas From Jenny B November 24, 2009 at 2:46am
Angela ran a good race, but the meltdowns of Jenny B & Kujiken are what enabled Angela to win. The phrase "I'd rather be lucky than good" fit this scenario perfectly. Angela even admits that she was shocked to win because SHE KNOWS that she's NOT AS GOOD AS JENNY B & KUJIKEN....MERRY XMAS FROM JENNY B BECAUSE YOUR WIN WAS A GIFT
Illinois' National Champ Angela Bizzarri 2009 NCAA XC Championships
“Favorite use of that Kanye reference..
Completely agreed. Races are run to see who is the best on that day. Bizzarri was the best that day.
It is hard in running not to compare performances to others' performances or previous performances because results are times. In other sports like soccer or football, it is easy to dispute who is the best. In running, we all know who is the fastest because a time is a time (you can't dispute say that Usain Bolt is the fastest in 100 meters, he has that time but you can argue if Peyton Manning or Brett Farve is the better quaterback). By having these hard facts in running, it often takes away from someone else's race because people can say "If (insert name) ran what they ran earlier this year they would have beat (insert name)"
Bizzari worked hard and had a good race to win the National championships so lets not take that away from her.”
“Here is an interesting photo gallery from Angela's hometown newspaper, the Cincinnati Enquirer, that looks back on Angela's career going back to her early HS days: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20091123&Kategori=SPT&Lopenr=911230801&Ref=PH”
Also, can we please stop with the Jenny B should have this, or Susan K should have that comments. It is one thing for us to analyze a race, but it is just wrong when that turns into negativity. ANGELA IS THE CHAMP. All runners (collegiate, post-collegiate, fast, slow, or otherwise) have good days and bad days. If we ran a perfect race each and every time out, the sport would probably get boring. Anything can happen in a race, and THIS IS WHY WE RUN.
"but to be the best you have to perform at the big meets with the big dogs. It's one thing to be way ahead all season then actually have someone beside you can change everything."
are you implying that Jenny B does not perform at the Big Race? How ludicrous. Think about the US Olympic Trials, the Olympics, the World Championships and the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Jenny B rose to the occasion every time. This takes nothing away from Angela's championship performance; I just wanted to point out that slandering Jenny B is foolish.
“she is so pretty”
Congrats Angela! Just know how much you deserved this. It wasn't a fluke, it was pure guts, smarts and speed.
“"Yo Angela, I’m really happy for you…Imma let you finish, but Jenny had one of the best ncaa careers of all time! One of the best careers of all time!"
Some of these comments below are a little too Kanye trying to take something great away from her. Races are run for a reason and you never know when it will be your day and when it wolnt, you just have to work hard to be at the top of your fitness for breakouts when it is your day and to keep you in it when its not.”
Completely agreed. Races are run to see who is the best on that day. Bizzarri was the best that day.
It is hard in running not to compare performances to others' performances or previous performances because results are times. In other sports like soccer or football, it is easy to dispute who is the best. In running, we all know who is the fastest because a time is a time (you can't dispute say that Usain Bolt is the fastest in 100 meters, he has that time but you can argue if Peyton Manning or Brett Farve is the better quaterback). By having these hard facts in running, it often takes away from someone else's race because people can say "If (insert name) ran what they ran earlier this year they would have beat (insert name)"
Bizzari worked hard and had a good race to win the National championships so lets not take that away from her.
Some of these comments below are a little too Kanye trying to take something great away from her. Races are run for a reason and you never know when it will be your day and when it wolnt, you just have to work hard to be at the top of your fitness for breakouts when it is your day and to keep you in it when its not.
“Angela ran a good race, but the meltdowns of Jenny B & Kujiken are what enabled Angela to win. The phrase "I'd rather be lucky than good" fit this scenario perfectly. Angela even admits that she was shocked to win because SHE KNOWS that she's NOT AS GOOD AS JENNY B & KUJIKEN....MERRY XMAS FROM JENNY B BECAUSE YOUR WIN WAS A GIFT”
Get a life…..loser!!
See you in the spring.
I have to say Angela has a good attitude. She doesn't seem to have received the credit she deserves. All the posting on the other two girls who lost out for various reasons is getting a little sad. At the end of the day, Angela was the best athlete on the day yetserday and that's why she won. Angela is NCAA Champion. It really is that simple.
True champions won't give excuses. They accept they weren't good enough on the day, learn, and move on.
Great race....definitely a lot of Illini/Illinois fans there....they were going craxy cheering for Angela.
“Angela ran a good race, but the meltdowns of Jenny B & Kujiken are what enabled Angela to win. The phrase "I'd rather be lucky than good" fit this scenario perfectly. Angela even admits that she was shocked to win because SHE KNOWS that she's NOT AS GOOD AS JENNY B & KUJIKEN....MERRY XMAS FROM JENNY B BECAUSE YOUR WIN WAS A GIFT”