Endurance • Nicole
Blalcock has put forth great dedication
and hard work on the cross country
team this season. CSULB Sports
Information
Blalock
inspirational force for LBSU’s cross country
By Kim Oswell
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor
Injury and illness have not hindered Nicole Blalock’s spirit throughout
the cross country season at Long Beach State.
Blalock, 21, is a junior majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis in fitness.
She ran track and cross country all four years at Villa Park High School. Blalock
was born in Orange and has been running since sixth grade.
“
My mom and dad have always been encouraging,” Blalock said. “My
dad ran in high school and college. He is the one who really got me into it.”
Blalock said her mom, dad and brother have been her strongest support through
everything.
This season has forced Blalock to deal with hindrances and setbacks such as injury
and illness, but she has never given up. She was hospitalized with the flu earlier
this season and she is suffering from a lower leg injury.
“
This year has been a rollercoaster,” Blalock said. “I was really
sick during the first meet.”
Blalock usually runs the 6k, but said she enjoys running the shorter races.
She said her inspiration is found in teammate Jaclyn Pedersen who has had to
deal with a lot during her carreer at LBSU.
“
She was really good in high school,” Blalock said. “She has been
injured for four years and is now performing well. She never gave up and I
look up to her.”
Blalock said she enjoys surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and watching the “OC” and “Laguna
Beach.”
This season has been a struggle, but Blalock said she has grown athletically
from her distance coach, Matt Roe.
“
Coach Roe has made me focus introspectively,” Blalock said. “He
has given me feedback by telling me to know my body and my limits.
Blalock holds the second best all-time school record in the 6k and is 7th all-time
in the 5k.
“
She had a great race at conference,” Roe said. “She is an inspiration
to the team and has endured illness. She has been doing everything she can
to stay in shape and is valuable to the team.”
Blalock said she needs to put her strength in God as she races this weekend.
“
I am going to put my focus on God and I know he will give me strength,” Blalock
said.
The 49ers produced the best combined finish since 1979 at the Big West Championships.
The cross country team is preparing for NCAA West Regionals Nov. 12 at the Stanford
Golf Course in Palo Alto.
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