Athletes to watch: Run, Alice, run

Eloise GrahamNews EditorSamo sophomore Alice Wasserman has stepped up to the plate this year on the cross-country and track teams.“If you just looked at her times, anyone can say ‘oh wow she’s improved,’” track coach Tania Fischer said. “There’s more to running than just the times. [Alice] made a shift in terms of dedication.”After an increase in hard work and diligence this year, Wasserman has lowered three different personal records by a substantial amount. She currently runs five kilometers in 18 minutes and 30 seconds, one mile in five minutes and 26 seconds and two miles in 11 minutes and 55 seconds.Wasserman also qualified for CIF this year. The Samo girls’ track team has not had a group of girls qualify for CIF in about 20 years.“Qualifying for CIF was a huge accomplishment and a great way to end a track season that was full of surprises,” Wasserman said. “I think it will serve as great motivation for myself and my teammates for future improvement.”CIF may have been Wasserman’s motivation but Fischer believes that Wasserman is a source of motivation and inspiration herself.“She’s made a big improvement. I think she’s inspirational to a lot of the other girls because they see that if she can do it, I can do it,” Fisher said. “[Alice has] made a huge jump because of the hard work. You don’t have to say it, you just see it.”egraham@thesamohi.com