Santucci’s Eyes Set on Olympics
February 12, 2016 04:51 PM | Cross Country
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Former West Virginia University cross country and track and field star Clara (Grandt) Santucci will continue her dream as a marathoner as she competes at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials on Saturday, Feb. 13 in Los Angeles, California. The 26.2 mile marathon begins at 1 p.m., ET.
Fan can watch the race live on NBC. The race also will be simulcast online at NBC Sports Live Extra, or on the Live Extra app on your mobile device.
Santucci enters the race as the No. 13-ranked women in the field of 246. In 2011, she ran a personal-best time of 2:29.54 in the Boston Marathon.
In her career as a Mountaineer, Santucci has earned many accolades. She graduated in 2010 being a four-time All-American in cross country, a three-time all-region honoree and an All-Big East selection in three consecutive years under coach Sean Cleary.
Cleary has created top-tier teams during his tenure at West Virginia. He has built his teams on national levels as well as coaching his former student-athletes to strive to be Olympians. Santucci has continued to stand by Cleary’s expertise as he continues to train her to achieve her dream.
“Clara has put herself on a very small list of athletes that have come through WVU,” said Cleary. “Being a four time All-American, Big East, ECAC and NCAA Regional Champion stands for itself. This is different though. This is a 26.2 mile race to determine the Olympic Team for the summer. One race, one moment of time to try to put herself into contention.”
The Doddridge County, West Virginia, native has been training for this moment for years. Running 120 miles a week in all weather conditions to train for the Olympics isn’t for everyone, but for Santucci, it is her life and dream come true.
This year’s Olympic Trial field includes almost 400 runners, both men and women and will be the largest ever. The top-three male and female finishers will earn golden tickets to advance to Rio de Janerio for the 2016 Olympics to compete for Team U.S.A. Santucci has hard for this moment of hers, and Saturday is just one step closer to travel to Rio and the Olympics.
“The weather is oppressive for this sort of race,” said Cleary. “The field has been leveled a bit. Clara believes that she can run in the heat, now it’s the time to take advantage of the 1,000’s of miles that she has run since graduation.”
Santucci is a two-time Pittsburgh Marathon champion. In 2014 she ran 2:32.25 and in 2015 she ran 2:34.06. She became the first American woman since 2009 to win that race. Also, she placed sixth and ninth at the Chicago Marathon, in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
In 2012, Santucci ran in the U.S. Olympic Trials where she placed seventh, and was the alternate for the U.S. team that year. Santucci isn’t the only Mountaineer to qualify for an Olympic Trial.
Aubery Moskal, a graduate of WVU in 2013, also qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials after running in the Marshall Marathon in Huntington, but will not compete due to injury.
“Unfortunately Aubrey Moskal, who is out in Los Angeles to watch, will not be competing after sustaining a nagging injury during the buildup,” said Cleary. “To have two WVU alumnus and two West Virginia natives qualify for this race is very special. We should all be very proud.”
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