Dannwolf eager to compete in Meet of Champions 800m

By Wayne witkowski
Staff Writer

She passed up competing in the Shore Conference indoor track and field championships, but don’t think for a moment that Brick Memorial’s Amy Dannwolf is not fully prepared for Sunday’s Meet of Champions 800 event at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gym.

"I’m really excited; this will be something entirely new for me," said the affable Dannwolf, who last spring competed in the outdoor Meet of Champions 800. "I’m happy with how my training is going. I feel confident."

Dannwolf has good reason to be content. Like any serious runner, Dannwolf has lowered her time in the event through the season and reset her own school record last Wednesday when she ran a 2:20.5 in the Metropolitan Invitational at the 168th Street Armory in New York. It was good for fifth place overall, but she was "happy" with her effort.

And she ran on Monday night this week in the Varsity Classic at the 168th Street Armory.

Which brings to mind why Dannwolf passed up running in the Shore Conference championships last week.

"This track prepared me better (for Jadwin)," said Dannwolf of the 168th Street Armory. "It’s a lot better than running at Red Bank (where the Shore Conference championships are held) and is more like running at Princeton."

Certainly 168th Street Armory is a fast, banked track and Dannwolf took full advantage. She also clocked a personal best 5:25 in the 1,600 at the Metropolitan Invitational.

Dannwolf says she has examined the competition for the Meet of Champions 800, which includes Lauren Lewis of Southern Regional, who finished first in the Ocean County and Shore Conference championships. Dannwolf was third in the county meet, barely nosed out for second place. But Dannwolf has the advantage of having run in the outdoor Meet of Champions, while Lewis was injured in the spring.

"In the first two laps (of the Metropolitan Championships), I got out fast and then tried to hold on to whatever I had left," said Dannwolf. "I want to try to work on getting out (fast) and then working hard in that third lap."

And Dannwolf says she has a better feeling about this Meet of Champions than she did in the outdoor season.

"I have a lot more confidence and feel that I belong more. It sometimes used to feel intimidating," said Dannwolf.

The senior said that she has gotten a lot of encouragement from people who know her and understand what is ahead.

"Everyone is really supportive," she said. "They’re excited for me to go back (to the Meet of Champions). Friends, relatives and people at school, including my teachers, are excited and some are talking about going down (to Princeton) to it."

And it won’t end there. Dannwolf is competing in the Eastern Invitational Feb. 25 at the 168th Street Armory and hopes to qualify for the national championships. She competed in the National Qualifiers at Van Cortlandt Park during cross country season in November.

And then, there’s outdoor season that begins in April.

"I have a lot to look forward to," said Dannwolf with a laugh.