Austin’s Overby takes 20th at state
Published 5:00 pm Saturday, November 5, 2011
Austin Madison Overby passes Wayzata's Annika Halverson on the final stretch towards the finish of the Class AA girls' race at the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Overby finished 20th overall and earned All-state honors. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
NORTHFIELD — A breakout season came to a fantastic finish for Austin eighth grader Madison Overby, when she finished 20th out of 158 runners at the Class ‘AA’ state cross country meet at St. Olaf College Saturday.
Overby was strong from the start as she ran with the top 25 for the first mile and never faded.
“It was like a dream for the first mile or so, then I kind of settled into reality where’ I’m actually doing it,” said Overby, who took 89th at state as a seventh grader.
Austin's Madison Overby runs just off of Wayzata's Annika Halverson as they reach the half-way point of the Class AA girls' race of the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Overby, who finished with a time of 14:51.1, was in 23rd place with 400-meters to go but she dug deep and found the strength to pass three runners —including two that she cruised past right before crossing the finish line.
“I didn’t think I had anything left. Then I got it out of my head and I just went,” Overby said. “This was my goal and now I’ll try as hard as I can to keep getting better and better. Hopefully next year can we make it (to state) as a team.”
Austin head coach Tony Einertson that he was hoping for a top-25 finish from Overby and she delivered.
“She ran an all round smart race,” Einertson said. “We ran the course yesterday and talked about where you don’t want to run. There’s some soft spots and she avoided those. “
Overby has made big strides this season, including winning a Big Nine title. In the process of that success, she’s found herself getting closer to one of the area’s best runners in Albert Lea junior Chrissy Monson, who has been to three state cross country meets and won the 1600-meter run at the Class ‘A’ state track and field meet last season.
“We’ve gotten to be pretty good friends and we’ve gotten to know each other a lot better,” Overby said.
Monson, who took 51st Saturday with a time of 15:21.5, has also gained some respect for Overby.
“That girl has some talent at that age,” Monson said. “She’s doing real well out there and I only have good things to say about here. She’s a good competitor and has a nice personality. I hope to beat her (next year) like any other competitor, but she’s a tough girl and she’s worked for it.”
By finishing in the top-25, Overby earns All-State honors.
