North Carolina State University Athletics
Price Earns Top Academic Honor
10/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track
Oct. 7, 2004
Raleigh, N.C. - The American Association of Running Clubs (AARC) and the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) have announced the Class of 2004. Five developing elite distance-running athletes were chosen to receive ROADS SCHOLAR® the annual grants. The five recipients, including two men and three women, are Amy Yoder Begley of Kendallville, Indiana, Kristin Price of Raleigh, North Carolina, Turena Johnson Lane of Statesboro, Georgia, Matthew Gabrielson of Apple Valley Minnesota and Kyle Baker of Mason, Michigan.
Kristin Price is a 2004 graduate of North Carolina State where she was a 12 time All-American in cross country and track and the 2002 NCAA 10,000-meter Champion. She placed 13th in the 2004 Olympic Trials 10,000-meters and was the second American finisher at the 2004 Peachtree 10K Road Race.
"I want to thank RRCA for the grants they have provided," said Price. "It is this type of financial assistance program that keeps the hopes and dreams alive for the up-and-coming generation of elite American distance runners."
The AARC/RRCA ROADS SCHOLAR® grants are intended to assist top American post-collegiate runners who, while struggling financially, show great promise to develop into accomplished national and world class distance runners. The success of this program was exemplified this summer when Deena Kastor, an original ROADS SCHOLAR® recipient, won the bronze medal in the Women's Olympic Marathon. This year the AARC and RRCA are pleased to award five scholarships for $5,000 to five promising athletes. Since 1997 the AARC/RRCA ROADS SCHOLAR® program has distributed over $145,000 to emerging American distance runners.
Deena Kastor, 2004 Bronze medalist in the Women's Olympic Marathon has first hand knowledge of the program as she was one of the recipients of the original ROADS SCHOLAR® grant in 1997. When she was asked to comment on the program she stated "These athletes are very deserving ofsuch agenerous award.Hopefully with this grant these fine competitors will launch themselves onto a world scene and never forget the generosities that got them there. Congratulations to each of you."
RRCA president Bee Andrews noted "The importance of the ROADS SCHOLAR® program and the value it provides to our rising athletes has never been so evident as now when we have been able to enjoy seeing one of the first ROADS SCHOLAR® recipients - Deena (Drossin) Kastor - medal in the Athens Olympics."
Carl Sniffen, co-chairman of the AARC/RRCA ROADS SCHOLAR® Committee said," It is a wonderfully rewarding task to serve on the ROADS SCHOLAR® committee while at the same time somewhat bittersweet. On the one hand, weprovide talented and deserving emerging elite athletes with needed financialrelief. On the other hand, we areconstantly reminded of how much more can and should be done to help ourdeveloping distance athletes."
Henley Gabeau, co-chair added, "It has been a supreme honor to serve on the RRCA's ROADS SCHOLAR® since its inception, and this year was no exception with its outstanding submissions and the runners that were chosen. If past history proves true, these RRCA ROADS SCHOLAR® athletes will be top finishers on the roads in the years to come."
ROADS SCHOLAR® committee members in addition to Sniffen, include co-chair Henley Gabeau, an RRCA past president and former RRCA Executive Director, Don Kardong, former President of the RRCA and 1976 Olympic marathoner; Freddi Carlip, past president of the RRCA ,Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons; Joan Samuelson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist; Dan Browne, U.S.A. Olympian at 10,000 meters and marathon, and Phil Stewart, Editor and Publisher of Road Race Management and Director of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race.
Runners interested in applying for 2005 ROADS SCHOLAR® grants may contact the AARC (www.runningclubs.org)or RRCA (www.rrca.org) and ask to be included on the mailing list. Applications will be ready for distribution in late 2004.
The American Association of Running Club (www.runningclubs.org) is an organization founded in 2002 dedicated to the task of promoting running at the grass roots level as well as providing opportunities to developing athletes. The Road Runners Club of America (www.rrca.org) is an organization of over 600 clubs and 130,000 members that promote grassroots running.
