1994
1993
1990 - 1992
1985 - 1989
1980 - 1984
printer-friendly version
Herstory
Coaches
Community
Officers
Awards
Testimonials
Photo Album
The year 2002 began with the Impalas setting forth as a goal recapturing the Pacific Association open road grand prix. With big wins in the final three road events of the season, the Impalas pulled away from the competition to grab the title. In fact, they made it a clean sweep of the open, masters, and seniors titles in both roads and cross-country. These weren't the only team honors this year either. The Impalas finished as 9th open women's team at the Boston Marathon in April. Several Impalas participated on the winning Red Hook Brewery centipede at Bay-to-Breakers in May. Meanwhile, in harrier action, the Impala open team took 3rd place medals at the Western Regional Cross-Country Championships in November and the Impala masters team took 2nd place honors at the Fall National Cross-Country Championships in December.
There were several individual Impalas who had standout years as well. Diana Fitzpatrick finished 2nd in both open long and masters road grand prix of the Pacific Association, highlighted by a masters-winning 2:50 at the California International Marathon. Impala president Carol Keller raced well and often, winning the masters cross-country grand prix for the third straight year and finishing 3rd on the roads. Carol also combined with Mo Bartley and Francine Nunley to capture the masters team title at the Carlsbad 5K. Sara Freitas defended her fall national masters cross-country title with a runner-up finish at this year's event, while finishing 3rd in the masters grand prix. Michelle Hannaford began the year finishing 9th in the Las Vegas Marathon in a PR 2:52 and closed the year with a 2nd place in the open cross-country grand prix, earning herself a trip to the Winter National Championships in Houston. Sara Gigliotti and Karen Ribble logged plenty of frequent flier miles, accepting invitations to Japan for the Osaka City Half Marathon and to New York for the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge National Championship, with a second place team finish at the latter. Kristen Koppes ran a PR 34:23 track 10K at the prestigious Stanford Invitational in March and had a tremendous cross-country season, highlighted by a 10th place finish at the Western Regional meet. Home-schooled teenager, Teresa McWalters, had a fabulous debut cross-country season with the Impalas, capped by a 6th place finish at the Western Regionals, believed to equal the highest finish ever by an Impala in that competition. But the youngsters didn't have all the fun, as several seniors impressed as well. New Impala, Melinda Morse, took the road grand prix title and was given an honorable mention by Running Times magazine as one of the top runners in the country in the 50-54 age group. Fellow seniors, Maggie Fillmore and Irene Herman, took 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the cross-country grand prix, while super-senior Suzanne Franco took 3rd in the road grand prix for that division.
The year was also one of transition for the Impalas. Two long-serving Impalas, Dawn Eggerts and outgoing-president Carol Keller, relocated to other cities in pursuit of new professional challenges. Their spirit and dedication will be missed. On the positive side, Carol's term as president was marked by a commitment to attracting talented young runners to the team. This indeed bore fruit in 2002, with the addition of promising Impalas like Tara Hillier, Ana Martinez, Leti Arroyo, Flora Lee, and several others. Other Impalas took time off to give birth during the year. Joining the ranks of Impala moms were Stephanie Magsanay, Stephanie Morris, Carla Silver, Kim Hunter, Kathi Berman and Chris Nooney. We look forward to their return to racing in 2003. Finally, the prestigious Stockton Cup was awarded to Carol Keller, in recognition for everything she has done for the Impalas…competing, leading, organizing, recruiting, and inspiring.
The Impalas continue to remain as active as ever in community service.
At the annual survivor banquet for the Bay Area Breast Cancer Fund, the
Impalas were honored with an "All Star" award for continued
financial support to the organization. In July the Impalas maintained
their tradition of maintaining the best-supported water station at the
San Francisco Marathon. The year closed with the annual Impala Christmas
party, organized by Eliza Harding and Jill Baker, at Timo's in San Francisco.
The annual Silent Auction held at the party raised just under $2000, half
of which is earmarked for breast cancer research. The evening marked the
end of a highly successful year, with the promise of even greater achievement
in the year ahead.
