How'd Emily do? Molnar finally grabs the dream after qualifying for State cross country meet
Yet Kandel’s first words out of her mouth weren’t how’d I do, where did I place or what was my time.
Instead it was, How’d Emily do?
Emily would be West Holmes junior Emily Molnar, who along with Kandel and Alexis Eliot were representing their school, a chance to run at the State tournament at stake.
But unlike Kandel and Eliot, who knew coming in that their times were not what it would take to advance, they did know that Molnar had a shot.
So how did Emily do?
Molnar did just fine, thank you very much.
After a pair of near misses her first two years, Molnar’s time of 19:35 placed her 13th, more than good enough to break into the top 16 spots which move on to State.
“Just get me there,” said an overjoyed Molnar. “It feels like I have finally broken through the barrier. It feels like it’s impossible to do this, because every year so far I’ve come here and I have only felt disappointment of getting close. To finally do it feels like I am finally opening up a new door.”
Molnar said that the objective for the race was to be in the top 20 going into the woods after about a half mile.
That she was, although she said it felt like half the pack was breathing down her neck.
“I felt like I should be ratcheting things up early, but I was where I needed to be,” said Molnar. “I felt very good early, all full of energy.”
As she made the sprint to home, making the one final turn that ushers runners from obscurity into a sea of people cheering on the runners, she knew her dream was well within reach. All she had to do was finish strong, which she did.
Now, the words “State Qualifier” will be tacked on to her name when future runners talk about Emily Molnar.
Her time of 19:35 wasn’t her fastest of the year, but it wasn’t far off either, and it was better than what she ran at Pickerington earlier this year.
She said that now with the seemingly impossible task of reaching State taken care of, maybe that will open another new door for something really special.
“Maybe I am saving the best for last,” said Molnar, beaming. “I am going to be on cloud nine all week.”
While her junior classmates didn’t qualify, they still represented themselves quite well. Kandel’s 54th and Eliot, who finished 46th in 20:58, both cherished the day, and the feeling of competing on such a high level.
“I ran a little slower than I had expected to run, but I think overall I ran a pretty decent race,” said Eliot. “I really had a fun day, and enjoyed the chance to compete. There are a ton of great girls here, and this was a good experience for all three of us. Every year you look at just getting better and setting higher goals for the next year. I’ve got some big plans for next season.”
Kandel wasn’t totally pleased with her time of 21:11, knowing full well that she had been under 21 on several occasions this year. That was her goal coming in, and while she didn’t reach it, she was grateful for the opportunity.
“It was a little disappointing not getting under 21, but the experience was great,” said Kandel, who has only been running cross country for two years. “It was exciting to get here in only my second year of running, so I am going to build on that.”
But for one final time this year, the two Alexis’ will make a trip to a cross country meet. Only this time, instead of working their arms and legs, they will be working their lungs and mouths as they cheer on their friend and teammate.
“I think overall all three girls ran pretty good races,” said West Holmes coach Kevin Beachy. “Alexis and Alexis were pretty relaxed, and it looked like they ran smooth races and really enjoyed themselves.
“As for Em, she ran a perfect race. I told her whether she was fifth or 15th, it didn’t matter. As long as it’s the top 16. We will worry about times next weekend. She ran the exact race we wanted her to run today, and she put herself around 20th and worked her way up one by one. I think she will be even faster at State.”
West Holmes has a tradition at school. Whenever a student athlete makes it to State, the marching band ushers them around the school halls, with all the fanfare, pomp and circumstances that a State qualifier deserves.
Molnar said that when that time comes, she wants her teammates right there with her.
“That goes to show you exactly what kind of respect these kids have and how much they care for one another,” said Beachy. “That’s a pretty special group of kids.”