RRCA Announces 2008 Roads Scholars

July 24, 2008 from press release (Arlington VA) Since 1996, the Road Runners Club of America has awarded grants totaling $250,000 through the Roads Scholar® program. The goal of the program is to assist American post collegiate road runners who show great promise to develop into national and world class road running athletes. The grants awarded by the RRCA go directly to the athletes to help support their goals of becoming world class athletes.

The RRCA Roads Scholar® selection Committee for 2008 included Carl Sniffen (Chair), Don Kardong, Deena Kastor, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Mike Morgan, Phil Stewart, Bee McLeod, Brent Ayer, and Jean
financially,” explained Pierce. “I am really excited about getting involved in longer races and the professional road running scene and this will support that pursuit. Thanks very much for this honor. I know that it will help me a great deal in the coming year.”

BRETT GOTCHER
Brett Gotcher grew up in Watsonville, CA and began running in 8th grade when his school started a Cross Country program. He ran Cross Country to get in shape for basketball, but ended up winning a few races and fell in love with the sport.

“I had a great coach in high school who brought me along slowly so that I could really enjoy running and not overdo it,” explained Gotcher.

He continued his running at Stanford University where he had the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in Switzerland and at the Pan-Am Championship in Barbados. There he came away with the gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

A recent highlight of Gotcher’s running career was competing in the 10,000 meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Gotcher currently lives in Flagstaff, AZ with the McMillan Elite training group where he is working on taking his running to the next level.

“Being honored with the RRCA Roads Scholar grant is going to help me make that jump to the next level,” remarked Gotcher. “At this point in my running career, every bit of financial assistance can make a huge difference. With this grant, I will now be able to take the time necessary to train at the highest possible level.”

SALLY MEYERHOFF
Sally Meyerhoff started running when she was about eight or nine years old. She participated in a youth track club that offered a month long running program with an event at the end. In middle school she participated in Cross Country and would grow to love running, eventually dropping swimming as a sport. Meyerhoff ran for Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, AZ where she was a nine-time Arizona state champion. She is currently coaching part time at her high school alma mater.

Meyerhoff ran Track and Cross Country at Duke where she was a 3 time All-American. In 2008, she ran her debut marathon, the PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon in Phoenix, AZ, finishing with a time of 2:42:47. This qualified her for the 2008 Olympic Trials – Women’s Marathon where she finished in 20th place with a time of 2:39:39.

“The RRCA Roads Scholar grant is something I have been hoping for, for a very long time,” explained Meyerhoff. “When I found out I was chosen it truly made my day, and I wanted to yell with excitement. I feel incredibly honored to be chosen as a recipient and I intend to represent the RRCA at the highest level possible.”

JULIA LUCAS
Julia Lucas began running as a freshman in high school more for the social aspects as opposed to the competitive aspects. She would go on to win six North Carolina state titles for Myers Park High School, as well as the 2002 National Scholastic Indoor Championship in the mile.

“To the delight of my poor father's heart I finally acknowledged athletics, and joined the only team I know wouldn't cut me,” explained Lucas. “Who would have thought the geek in the knee socks would wind up a jock?”

Lucas attended North Carolina State, where she was a five-time All-American and a three-time ACC champion. She represented the US at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in 2003. In December 2007, Lucas joined Team Running USA based in Mammouth, CA. She was 9th at the 2008 USATF Cross Country Championships held in February, and she recently ran the Central Park Challenge 8K, finishing 10th with a time of 26:46.

“Due in part to the RRCA's support I've got no excuses. The resources that elite athletes require are now available to me,” explained Lucas. “All I worry about now is running as fast as I can and being worthy of all this support.”

EMILY MCCABE
Emily McCabe, a Queensbury, NY, native began her competitive running career when she was in junior high on the Queensbury Modified Cross Country Team. Thanks to the enthusiasm and inspiration from Coach Nancy Micich, she realized that she had the potential to excel in the sport. McCabe continued to compete for the Queensbury Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field Teams while she also competed on the Varsity Alpine Ski Team. After culminating her high school running career by becoming a member of the All-New York State Cross Country Team, she decided to continue her running career at the Division I level by becoming a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field Teams at Cornell University.

Emily’s college running career blossomed her senior year during outdoor track in the Spring of 2006 when she earned All-Ivy accolades in the Outdoor 10,000 and 5,000 meters, was the Outdoor ECAC Track & Field Champion in the 3,000 meters and was a finalist in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Due to a season-ending injury suffered during her senior year in Cross Country, Emily had a remaining season of Cross Country eligibility to use while pursuing a Master’s degree at Duke University’s Graduate School in the Fall of 2006. She had her most successful collegiate season while competing for the Blue Devils, culminating in her 14th place overall finish at the 2006 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships earning her All-American honors. Under the tutelage of Coach Kevin Jermyn, Emily’s professional distance running career got off to a great start.

“I believe I have shown a lot of potential to be a great road racer, especially at the longer distances,” explained McCabe. “The Roads Scholar Program Grant will not only provide me with support to enhance my running career and hopefully qualify to compete at more international competitions, but it will also allow me to become an active and involved member of the running community.”

About the RRCA
Founded in 1958, the RRCA is the oldest and largest national association of running clubs, running events, and runners. The mission of the RRCA is to promote long distance grassroots running as a competitive sport and healthful exercise. The RRCA achieves their mission by promoting the common interests of its members by providing educational opportunities, programs, and services. The organization’s membership consists of over 890 running clubs and events. RRCA running clubs produce over 5000 events and have over 190,000 members in the US.