White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Middle School 7th Grader Cross Country Harrier Wins Her First Race.

WPCNR Press Box. By John F. Bailey. October 2, 2002:Cross Country is a sport of attrition where the runner continues to build every performance, racing against themselves, to win a cross country event is a triumph over the self as well as the competitors. Knowing the nature of the sport makes White Plains’ Kaylin Gilmartin-Donohue’s race Tuesday all the remarkable.

DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME: Seven minutes and 20 seconds into the 1.2 mile race “K.K.”, as her White Plains X-Country Teammates call her, pours it on with a 100 feet to go, trying to hold off her Westlake challenger.
Photo by WPCNR Sports

Kaylin, a seventh grader at the Highlands Middle School, running in her first cross country event ever, won the first Middle School Girls event over 43 other young ladies at Westlake in 85 degree and humid weather in a photo-finish.

Kaylin, coached by John Mcgee, was running in her very first race. Her mother said she was thrilled with the win, and is “quite an athlete.” Mom said Kaylin was “intent on winning it” going into the race.

As the 1.2 mile race was run, it came down to as good as it can ever get for a cross country race. Kaylin held the lead going into the final quarter mile maintaining a 6 length lead over her challenger as the two leaders entered the running track. The challenger was determined and closed the gap on “K.K.” going into the far turn. She appeared to pass “K.K.” with about 25 feet to go.

K.K. REACHES BACK FOR THAT LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA TO PULL IT OUT, and wins her first cross country event she has ever run in a photo finish, as the Track Judge is poised to record the winning time. (Kaylin is at far left in picture at the crowded finishing chute.) Kaylin ran the 1.2 mile course in 7:49, finishing first ahead of 43 other girls. Kaylin also plays travel soccer which may account for her endurance in her first race.

Photo by WPCNR Sports It was a valiant race by all. Cross country aficionados stay to applaud all who finish because as Coach Mcgee emphasizes, you are running against yourself. The coach points out to his athletes that in any event they run in, they are running against themselves and the course.

Tuesday’s first meet of the year was pretty tough running conditions: temperature in the 80s with 70% humidity, not what a runner likes. This made Kaylin’s performance all the more remarkable.


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