MSU's Heather Haug won the mile and 3K Saturday
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Impressive Double Caps Career, Eases Bad Memories for Heather Haug
2/23/2013 7:59:00 PM | Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Livingston Native Post Sensational Indoor Meet
The last nine months have been long for Heather Haug.
Hindered by injury, Montana State's star senior distance runner faltered at last spring's Big Sky Outdoor Track Championships in Bozeman, courageously competing in an attempt to score points for her team without performing anywhere near her peak physically. So when the time came in Saturday's 3,000 meter race in the conference indoor championship, also in Bozeman, she took advantage.
“I still can't believe that 3K,” the product of Livingston, less than a half-hour from Bozeman, said excitedly through a wide grin after her work for the meet had been finished. “I still can't believe I had that in me.”
The result was a personal best time of 9:41.33 and her second Big Sky Championship of the day. Earlier, Haug had won the mile in dominating fashion, topping her nearest competitor by nearly five seconds.
The net result of her performance - which included a leg in MSU's championship Distance Medley Relay late Friday - earned her meet MVP honors. Bobcat coach Dale Kennedy heaped praise on his senior. “Heather had a great meet,” he said. “I say this a lot, but she's not a runner, she's a racer. There's something inside her that just won't let her settle for second place. She is a great competitor.”
Haug said even she is not sure why she kept going in the 3,000 meters. “Especially I think with three (laps) to go I almost gave up; more like the whole race, I almost gave up so many times,” she said. “But something down in there (clicked), and the MSU chants always get you going. It's so awesome, I have such a great team out here cheering me on. With about 400 to go maybe I get a second wind or something, but especially bell lap, you never think you have it in you, but there's always something in there.”
The same competitive spirit drove Haug in her mile victory, against her better judgment. “It was a little tough (in the mile),” she said. “You don't want too fast because there's always the 3K, but I definitely went out and ran faster than I was expecting to run in that mile. It's always good to have a good win under your belt, but it makes me a little nervous for the 3K.”
Haug was thankful for the opportunity to finish her Big Sky career in her home arena – and, in fact, so near her hometown. “I'm so thankful that it was at home this year, I think that definitely helped. I had good family support, good team support, good coaches support, you have the whole package here.”
Many times since last May, Haug has called on her disappointing experience in the 2012 Big Sky Outdoor Championships. “I was almost embarrassed after outdoor last year,” she said. “With having an injury, you never want to finish that far back. I had a lot of motivation coming out of outdoor. I'm glad I got back to where I'm at now, and I'm hoping Nationals is in my path. We'll see how next week goes. This is a good way to finish if I have to be finished, but I want to make it to nationals and I want to do well at nationals.
“I want to make Montana proud.”
Hindered by injury, Montana State's star senior distance runner faltered at last spring's Big Sky Outdoor Track Championships in Bozeman, courageously competing in an attempt to score points for her team without performing anywhere near her peak physically. So when the time came in Saturday's 3,000 meter race in the conference indoor championship, also in Bozeman, she took advantage.
“I still can't believe that 3K,” the product of Livingston, less than a half-hour from Bozeman, said excitedly through a wide grin after her work for the meet had been finished. “I still can't believe I had that in me.”
The result was a personal best time of 9:41.33 and her second Big Sky Championship of the day. Earlier, Haug had won the mile in dominating fashion, topping her nearest competitor by nearly five seconds.
The net result of her performance - which included a leg in MSU's championship Distance Medley Relay late Friday - earned her meet MVP honors. Bobcat coach Dale Kennedy heaped praise on his senior. “Heather had a great meet,” he said. “I say this a lot, but she's not a runner, she's a racer. There's something inside her that just won't let her settle for second place. She is a great competitor.”
Haug said even she is not sure why she kept going in the 3,000 meters. “Especially I think with three (laps) to go I almost gave up; more like the whole race, I almost gave up so many times,” she said. “But something down in there (clicked), and the MSU chants always get you going. It's so awesome, I have such a great team out here cheering me on. With about 400 to go maybe I get a second wind or something, but especially bell lap, you never think you have it in you, but there's always something in there.”
The same competitive spirit drove Haug in her mile victory, against her better judgment. “It was a little tough (in the mile),” she said. “You don't want too fast because there's always the 3K, but I definitely went out and ran faster than I was expecting to run in that mile. It's always good to have a good win under your belt, but it makes me a little nervous for the 3K.”
Haug was thankful for the opportunity to finish her Big Sky career in her home arena – and, in fact, so near her hometown. “I'm so thankful that it was at home this year, I think that definitely helped. I had good family support, good team support, good coaches support, you have the whole package here.”
Many times since last May, Haug has called on her disappointing experience in the 2012 Big Sky Outdoor Championships. “I was almost embarrassed after outdoor last year,” she said. “With having an injury, you never want to finish that far back. I had a lot of motivation coming out of outdoor. I'm glad I got back to where I'm at now, and I'm hoping Nationals is in my path. We'll see how next week goes. This is a good way to finish if I have to be finished, but I want to make it to nationals and I want to do well at nationals.
“I want to make Montana proud.”
Monday, May 16
Monday, February 18
Tuesday, February 12
Tuesday, February 05
