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The year 2001 was yet another successful and interesting odyssey for team Impala.
The year was highlighted by the masters women winning both team and top individual honors at the USATF fall cross country championships in Mobile, Alabama, with Sara Freitas and Carol Keller placing first and second to lead the Impala charge.
The Impalas earned a complete team sweep of the Pacific Association USATF cross country grand prix in all three divisions; and Pacific Association road grand prix titles in both the masters and senior divisions, with the open squad placing second to Adidas Transports after a close, season-long battle.
Individually, Michelle Hannaford finished second in the Pacific Association cross country standings, Carol Keller repeated as masters grand prix champion, with 1999 champ Sara Freitas third, and Mo Bartley fourth. In the senior division, Sharlet Gilbert, recently returned to Impaladom, won the grand prix. In the super seniors division, Eve Pell finished third and Mary Walsh fourth.
Out on the roads, Diana Fitzpatrick came on strong at the end of the year to nail down second in the open long-course grand prix of the Pacific Association road series, while Michelle Hannaford took eighth in the long-course grand prix and sixth in the short-course. Diana won the masters road grand prix, with Carol Keller third and Sara Freitas seventh. In the seniors division, Jessie Stratton took second, with Irene Herman sixth in the PA grand prix. Louise Walters finished sixth in the super senior division of the PA road circuit.
Of course, 2001 was much more than a list of results. As usual, Impalas were busy putting on fund-raisers, doing volunteer work for charity drives, throwing team parties, and embarking on road trips. Special kudos to Jill Gisvold, for organizing the annual garage sale, held at Irene Herman’s house; Sara Gigliotti for spearheading the Avon 3-day walk for breast cancer volunteer efforts; Marie Appel for organizing the Impala aid station at the SF marathon; Francine Nunley for captaining the cross country team, which included organizing the team picnic after the Golden Gate Park Open, and teaming up with Carol to organize the road trip to New Orleans; Eliza Harding, for putting together the highly-successful silent-bid auction at the Impala Holiday party.
Six Impalas made the journey to Boston for the 2001 Boston marathon: Michelle Duron, Angie Akers, Lou Walters, Dana Farber, Sue Franco, and Carla Silver. Michelle led the charge, finishing in 3:13:43. A few weeks later, a large group of Impalas teamed up with some of the other top runners in the Bay Area, united under the banner of Red Hook (thanks to Pete O’Reilly for the sponsorship) for the Bay to Breakers centipede competition. In a close and spirited competition, the Red Hook squad bested the Reebok Aggies to win the competition.
Versatility has always been an Impala trademark, witness the events of June 10, 2001. On that Sunday, seven Impalas competed in the 91st Annual Dipsea in Mill Valley, while six more Impalas were braving the icy waters of the SF bay in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Diana Fitzpatrick, Eve Pell, Cheryl Shwe, Jennifer Maxwell, Tia Rosen, Michelle Hannaford, and Charlotte Ito were the Dipsea competitors, with Diana taking seventh overall, and Michelle winning the non-seeded division. In the Escape, Rachel Sears, Ashley Joy, Shelagh Sayers, Michelle Dodd, Mary Gleason, and Nelda Williams all participated, with Rachel finishing in 2:37, first in her age group, and Ashley finishing in 2:38, second in her age-group.
Rachel, one of many multi-sport standouts competing for the Impalas went overseas in September to win the gold medal for women aged 25-29 at the ITU Rimini (Italy) Duathlon World Championships. It was the last amateur competition for Rachel, who earned her professional cards for triathlons and duathlons before leaving for Italy.
In October, Kate Sweetman went to Kona to compete in the grandmother of all triathlons, the Ironman Hawaii. There, Kate overcame tough weather conditions (high winds) to finish 13th in her age-group, in a time of 11:48:54. A few weeks later, Irene Herman traveled to New York for the NYC marathon, which had special poignancy given the events of Sept. 11th. Irene struggled over the last few miles in Central Park, but was buoyed by the cheering of teammate Kathi Berman and was able to hold on until an emotional finish at the end of the 26.2 miles.
The Impalas finished 2001 in a flurry of excitement.
At the PA cross country championships on a warm November morning, the usual large number of Impalas swelled the women’s field to 156 runners, including top runners from Southern California and the Nike Farm Team. Michelle Hannaford was the top Impala finisher, doubling back only a week after Clarksburg to finish 13th in the loaded field. Kristen Koppes, ailing with an infection, held on for 20th place, just ahead of Sophie Hartshorn. Sara Freitas finished second in the masters division, just ahead of Carol Keller, who finished third.
A few weeks later, Impalas were spread all over the map, literally and figuratively.
While eleven Impalas boarded planes to head to Mobile for the USATF cross country championships, an equally large number bunkered down in Sacramento for the California International Marathon. While the Mobile crew had to survive Hurricane conditions (wink, wink) on New Orleans’ Bourbon street, the marathon crew overcame Monsoon conditions to post numerous impressive performances at CIM.
The Impalas wrapped up the competitive season with a victory at the Christmas Relays, with the quartet of Janet Bowie, Louise Tench, Michelle Hannaford, and Sophie Hartshorn taking first in a combined time of 1:49:31. Impalas also took first in the masters division with a team comprised of Suzanne Cordes, Sara Freitas, Eileen Brennan-Erler and Carol Keller.
2001 was a year that showed off the Impalas renowned depth, with a changing cast of characters stepping up throughout the year to carry the team effort. 2001 was a great year for new additions to the Impala fold. Kristen Koppes, Sophie Hartshorn, Chris Nooney, Marisa Daniel, Brandi Page, Mo Bartley, and Sharlet Gilbert were all vital additions to the team, helping to keep alive that special Impala energy.
Not to mention the weekly synergy produced at the Tuesday night Kezar track workouts and Saturday workouts in Golden Gate Park.
The 2001 Stockton Cup was awarded to Michelle Hannaford. Michelle’s unbounded energy and enthusiasm, the quality of her racing, her willingness to travel great distances from her home in Redding to don the Impala blue, were all factors in her receiving this prestigious award.
Impalas came and went in the year 2001. Some went to Washington D.C., some went to Europe, some went to Asia. Some Impalas stepped off the track to give birth, others returned from childbirth, several celebrated weddings. Throughout the carousel of changing events there was always the constant: the support of friendship, the challenge of fierce competition, the laughter, joy, and well-earned sweat that are all part of the Impala experience.
