Poling races to third in AAU Nationals

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Bob Poling Special to the Eagle Rosie Poling wearing he third-place medal she won at the AAU Junior Olympic National Meet in New Orleans. She will be going into seventh grade at Marco Island Charter Middle School this month.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Bob Poling Special to the Eagle Marco's Rosie Poling raced to third place in the AAU Junior Olympic National Meet in the 3000 meter race in New Orleans, La. In two heats there were a total of 37 girls from all over the country in the competition.

staff rjlalonde@marcoeagle.com

Rosie Poling again put the Marco Island Charter Middle School running progam on the map.

This time, by placing third in her 12-year-old age group in 3000 meter run at the AAU Junior Olympic Nationals in New Orleans on Aug.1.

The competition was much harder, Poling said.

The 37 competitiors had placed in the top five in all the regional races across the entire country. She placed first in her regional race.

The race was at Tad Gromley Stadium, a much larger arena than she had ever run in before. Usually, in local races, she leads from the beginning. At the nationals meet the runners started out very fast, with Poling pushed back to last as the competition jockeyed for early position. For Poling it was a lesson learned as he fought back to finish third in 11:16.

She said, “I was was thrilled to be in the race. It was great to get the chance to run against such stiff competition. Getting the chance to run in the nationals will make me less nervous about running local races.

Going into seventh grade, Poling is looking forward to running cross country with the middle school team. She has been working hard to encourage many classmates to come out and run.