Griffin On Home Course for Nationals
November 19, 2002

By Sherri Trent, AU Sports Information

Like Timex, Ashland University junior Tara Griffin keeps on ticking – and trucking.

The culmination of the cross country season approaches as the NCAA Division II championship meet (Saturday, Nov. 23 in Ashland) inches one day closer. Many runners dream of reaching the national meet, but few actually make it to the big event. Griffin has earned this honor.

Griffin, a junior, has had many successes in her collegiate running career. She was an All-America in the 10K last outdoor track season. This Saturday, Griffin looks to repeat as an All-America among the top runners in the country.

This is Griffin’s first trip to the national cross country meet. She secured the berth two weeks ago at the Great Lakes region meet at Grand Valley State where she came in fourth, completing the 6,000 meters in 22:12.1 (Northern Michigan’s Caitlin Compton won in 21:53.1). That got Griffin a ticket to nationals even though the AU women didn’t qualify as a team.

Despite the past experience she has in competing on a national level, Griffin still can’t shake some of the pre-race butterflies.

“I get nervous for every race no matter how big or small, but the more experience I get, the easier it is to relax,” said Griffin.

While nerves are almost impossible not to experience, she will have her teammates backing her during the whole 6K race. All of her fellow runners regard Griffin as a great runner, friend, and leader.

“When I first came here, right away I looked up to Tara, not just because of her talent, but also because of the way she carries herself when competing,” said freshman runner Jessica Fleming.

Through her great leadership and poise as a competitive runner, Griffin has influenced many runners. Along with being a role model for the young runners, she also pushes older, veteran runners to go after their goals.

“When I step on the line with Tara on my side, I know she is going to give the race everything that she has and that fact keeps me going,” said senior runner Erika Loomis.

All of her achievements in running have not been an easy task. She has been plagued with bad luck with injuries since her arrival at Ashland. However, she has never let these ailments stop her from her dreams. She only proves time and time again that she is a tough runner and rises to the challenges placed before her.

“She’s like the Rocky movies where the fighter keeps getting knocked down only to get back up and keep swinging,” said AU cross country coach Bill Gallagher.

Gallagher is not the only one who views Griffin as a fierce competitor. Loomis agrees as she describes her as being the toughest runner she knows. As Loomis points out, Griffin continues to go after her goals despite the injuries and bad luck.

With her injuries many wonder how she has become such a great runner. While her love of running is her priority, she has also implemented the use of the elliptical machine as a way to stay strong during injury. All of her work outside of running has been done on her own without pushing from Gallagher. Giving up was never an option for Griffin, which is what makes her so successful.

“I truly admire her intrinsic desire to see where she can go with this,” said Gallagher.

Griffin, the most valuable freshman on the 2000 AU cross country team, has shown that she is not willing to back down from any challenge. She has prevailed and competed with some top runners already this season and this weekend she toes the line without her teammates next to her.

Even though her team will not be side by side with her on the starting line, they will all be there to cheer her on as she represents the AU women’s team.

“As soon as I put on my AU jersey, I’m representing the team that I train every day all year with and who I share the same goals with,” said Griffin. “It will be great to have them all there with me.”

Although the meet is at her home course, Griffin remains very calm and poised. She feels that having her teammates there will be the most comforting thing for all of her jitters.

“Seeing their faces and knowing they’re behind me is the most motivating thing I can think of and it will help me focus on my goals instead of my nerves,” said Griffin.

Griffin will carry not only the support of her teammates and coach, but also that of her family and friends on Saturday.

“Having it at Ashland makes it possible for friends and family to come who have never been able to come to my races,” said Griffin. “I’m especially grateful that the whole team can be there because they are the reason I am there.”