RHS Ladies cross-country
High School Female Athlete of the Week: Sam Halvorsen of Ridgewood
NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHUCK O’DONNELL
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Sam Halvorsen’s transformation from middle school soccer player to high school cross-country standout has sometimes been as bumpy and winding as the North Jersey courses she traverses.
On the days when the path seems fraught with obstacles, the Ridgewood junior knows she can turn to Carleen Jeffers, her teammate, friend, neighbor, training partner and carpool-to-school buddy.
“It definitely helps because I know if I’m not having a great day, she’s always there to help pull me along,” said Halvorsen, The Record Female Athlete of the Week. “She always pushes me to be a better runner.
“When I first started running, I wasn’t that good at pacing. So she was always helping me figure out where I should peak during the race.”
Jeffers was the one who suggested they surge to the front at the one-mile mark of the North 1, Group 4 championships Saturday. Halvorsen said they passed a pack of three or four runners and never looked back. Halvorsen finished first in 18:52. Jeffers was second, just four seconds behind. “For this race,” Halvorsen said, “I felt really confident because I knew she had my back. I knew she would have my back if I tripped or something. It’s always reassuring to have her there.”
Halvorsen played soccer for years while growing up, but decided to give running a try when she got to high school. She said she was inspired by her cousin, Rodolfo Crispin, who went on to compete at the University of New Hampshire after an accomplished career at Ridgewood.
Powerful strides notwithstanding, it seems competitiveness runs in the family. When the Halvorsens go skiing on weekends for what is supposed to be a relaxing winter retreat, Sam just can’t take it slow.
https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/athlete-of-the-week/h-s-female-athlete-of-the-week-sam-halvorsen-of-ridgewood-1.1130697
Congrat’s to Sam on a GREAT season so far and Congrat’s to Coach Brown, one of the greatest coaches in any sport in NJ history. Year after he year he puts out top notch X-Country and Track Teams and along with the Boys teams has the best athletic programs at RHS. Best of luck in the State Championships tomorrow!