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Running in just her third collegiate race, first-year Anna Corrigan was Virginia’s top finisher at the Cavalier Open last weekend. Corrigan finished third in the race, followed by four Cavaliers, enabling Virginia to claim spots 3-4-5-6-7. The Cavaliers, who finished tied for fourth at the ACC Championships, head to Winston-Salem, N.C., for the NCAA Southeast Regional this weekend. The top two teams in the region advance automatically to the NCAA Championships. Southeast regional races are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, N.C., on Saturday.
Question: You’ve run a few races now in a Virginia uniform. How has the transition to the collegiate race been?
Corrigan: My teammates and coaches have helped make the transition really easy. So far, collegiate running has been a lot of fun.
Question: What is the biggest difference between racing a high school course and one in college?
Corrigan: There is not that much of a difference, except that some races are 6k and some are 5k, as opposed to high school where all races are 5k. Also, the competition in races is much tougher now.
Question: How intense are your training sessions and what have you learned the most so far from your freshman year?
Corrigan: Training sessions are intense but balanced. This year, I have learned to be patient with my training, because the coaches only want us to get a little better every day.
Question: You were the top Virginia finisher at the Cavalier Open last weekend. How did you feel during the race?
Corrigan: The race was a lot of fun. It was great because all of my teammates were right around me and we were able to help each other during the race.
Question: What is your favorite part of a race?
Corrigan: I love the middle of the race. It is the most fun.
Question: What do you think the team’s greatest strength is?
Corrigan: I think our greatest strength is that we are all united by a common goal. We want to do the best we possibly can, as a team, during every race.
Question: What has been the best advice that a teammate has given you this season?
Corrigan: Before the first race, one of my teammates said that hills hurt just as much if you run them slow as if you run them fast, so you might as well run them fast.