Call it a farewell run.
Former Timberlane standout Jess Flinn of Sandown is hoping for a solid performance tomorrow night as the early favorite to win the women's division of the Sapienza Memorial 4-Mile Road Race at Haverhill High School.
This will be one of only two races this summer for Flinn, 22, who will be heading next month to St. Louis, where she earned a tuition scholarship at the St. Louis University Law School. Her running career, following four years at Boston College on a full scholarship, is on hold.
But that doesn't mean that Flinn won't be going all-out tomorrow. She is hoping to run six-minute miles, which will probably be good enough to win the Sapienza women's division for the second time.
Flinn hasn't run competitively since May, when she ran in the NCAA regionals in the 5,000 meters, and her training has been anything but serious. But she's still in relatively good shape, she's enjoying her time off from serious running and she feels she may be just as effective without all the pressure of being a collegiate runner.
"I'd like to run around 24 minutes and I think I can do that," said Flinn, who has won the women's division once in four tries. "I feel pretty good, kind of refreshed. As much as I'm grateful that I had a scholarship, it's nice not to have that hanging over my head. I'm more relaxed and it's nice to go out and run whenever I want to."
Flinn enjoyed a solid if not spectacular career at BC. She was pleased with her senior season, during which she contributed heavily for the cross country team that advanced to nationals and enjoyed personal-best times for both the mile (4:50) and 5,000 (16:50).
Injuries and sickness held Flinn back a bit at the Heights and she still has one semester of eligibility remaining for indoor track. She considered using it at St. Louis University, and talked to the coach there about it, but eventually rejected the idea.
"I actually got a scholarship offer from the coach, but I decided to concentrate on my studies," said Flinn. "I'll have my hands full with that."
Flinn, who has always been an exceptional student and was Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 average at BC as a history major, will not only be pursuing a law degree, with the long-range goal of specializing in health care, but likely pursuing a masters degree in public health as well.
Former Timberlane standout Jess Flinn of Sandown is hoping for a solid performance tomorrow night as the early favorite to win the women's division of the Sapienza Memorial 4-Mile Road Race at Haverhill High School.
This will be one of only two races this summer for Flinn, 22, who will be heading next month to St. Louis, where she earned a tuition scholarship at the St. Louis University Law School. Her running career, following four years at Boston College on a full scholarship, is on hold.
But that doesn't mean that Flinn won't be going all-out tomorrow. She is hoping to run six-minute miles, which will probably be good enough to win the Sapienza women's division for the second time.
Flinn hasn't run competitively since May, when she ran in the NCAA regionals in the 5,000 meters, and her training has been anything but serious. But she's still in relatively good shape, she's enjoying her time off from serious running and she feels she may be just as effective without all the pressure of being a collegiate runner.
"I'd like to run around 24 minutes and I think I can do that," said Flinn, who has won the women's division once in four tries. "I feel pretty good, kind of refreshed. As much as I'm grateful that I had a scholarship, it's nice not to have that hanging over my head. I'm more relaxed and it's nice to go out and run whenever I want to."
Flinn enjoyed a solid if not spectacular career at BC. She was pleased with her senior season, during which she contributed heavily for the cross country team that advanced to nationals and enjoyed personal-best times for both the mile (4:50) and 5,000 (16:50).
Injuries and sickness held Flinn back a bit at the Heights and she still has one semester of eligibility remaining for indoor track. She considered using it at St. Louis University, and talked to the coach there about it, but eventually rejected the idea.
"I actually got a scholarship offer from the coach, but I decided to concentrate on my studies," said Flinn. "I'll have my hands full with that."
Flinn, who has always been an exceptional student and was Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 average at BC as a history major, will not only be pursuing a law degree, with the long-range goal of specializing in health care, but likely pursuing a masters degree in public health as well.
Although she is putting her running career on partial hold, Flinn is not giving up on it entirely. While in St. Louis, she plans on joining the Big River Running Company racing team and run in as many competitive races as time allows, including the cross country nationals.
And she does have long-range plans.
"Eventually, I'll move up to the marathon and I'd like to qualify for the Olympic Trials," said Flinn.
For now, however, she'll settle for a solid, pressure-free run at the Sapienza race.
...
Flinn will not have to do battle with defending two-time champion Melissa Donais, who is one of Sapienza's granddaughters. She is tied up at school and won't be able to compete this year.
Prior to the race, there will be a moment of silence for Audrey Sapienza, Tony Sapienza's wife, who died March 15th, exactly 20 years after the legendary runner died of a heart attack following a masters race. There will also be a special raffle conducted after the race, the proceeds from which will provide for a granite sign and bench to be erected in her honor at the high school track.
21st Sapienza Memorial Road Race
When: Friday, July 20 at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Haverhill High School
Distance: Four miles
Last year's winners: Robert Santoro, Melissa Donais
Entry fee: $12 pre-entry includes T-shirt, $15 post-entry
More Information: 978-372-9522 or www.sapienzarace.com
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