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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. _ A flare for the dramatic. That phrase has come to have a unique connection with athletics. It often signifies an athlete who “lives on the edge”, makes things close or simply happens to avoid the boring race or event.
On the opening day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, junior Abri Houser had that unique flare for the dramatic.
Just a month ago, the Newton, Kansas native, had little trouble dominated the field at the Mid-Central Conference Championships. Her time of 14.81 seconds set new Goshen College and MCC Championships records in the 100-meter hurdles (click here for related article).
Fast forward to the NAIA national meet where Houser stumbled out of the blocks in her preliminary heat to fall behind early. Call it flare, passion, or anything you want, but Houser made an incredible push through the last 50 meters. Despite finishing sixth in her heat, Houser did register a solid time of 15.08.
With just the top four in each of the three heats – plus the next four lowest times – receiving a spot in Friday’s semifinals, Houser crossed the line dejected. Having failed to reach the semifinal round at this years indoor championships by one spot and a mere one-hundredth of a second (click here for related article), Houser thought she would again be squeezed out of the next round.
This time around the dramatics came out on the right side for Houser as her time of 15.08 was the last time to reach the semifinal round, by that same one one-hundredth of a second. Instead of narrowly missing the semifinals like she did three months ago, Houser would take the final spot in the semifinal field.
“It certainly was as close as you can come,” said Houser later, adding, “I have been on both sides on that line so it is always nice to move on.”
As if one close call was not enough, Hosuer was at it again just a few hours later in the 400-meter hurdles. At the MCC Championships, Houser came from behind to break her own school and track record in the event for her first MCC title at the 400-meter distance.
Behind again 200 meters in, Houser kicked it into high gear. Again Houser finished sixth in her heat and again her spot in the semifinals was in doubt.
Exhausted from the two races, Houser sat against the stadium façade thinking her late 400-meter run would not be enough, thinking her flare for the dramatic on this day would not be enough.
But yet again, Houser was shocked to learn that her Friday would be a little busier than she expected. Her time of 1:04.89, just so long off her career best, placed her 15th out of 16 semifinalists.
With a flare for the dramatic, Houser had extended her weekend to include semifinal runs in both the 100 and 400 meters, but just barely. |
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