Minnesota's Best on Mary Cain

Mary Cain almost did the double at the USATF Championships this year, winning indoors and taking second, just barely, at the Outdoor Championships last weekend.  Cain and teammate Treniere Moser swaped places as Moser was second indoors and won the outdoor title.  Cain, just 17, also qualified for the IAAF World Championships having run the A standard earlier in the year, running the fastest time for the 1500 by a high schooler of 4:04.64.

At the MSHSL championships, DtB asked Clare Flanagan and Maria Hauger what they thought of Cain's accomplishments.  "She's amazing," said Flanagan.  "Unbelievable," said Hauger.  "It's just crazy how good she got in just a year.  I ran against her at Nike (XC) Nationals.  She only got second."  Now, Hauger added, Cain was beating most of the best women middle distance runners in the US.  "I don't see how she does it," added Hauger. 

Mary Cain. Photo by Gene Niemi

"Her bubbly personality captivated everyone one," said Gene Niemi, who took photos at the US Championships in Des Moines.  "I am amazed.   Within a second of an oxygen-sucking sprint finish she is all smiles. It is refreshing to see her enjoying herself and to watch her reactions after beating the best runners in the US.  You can tell she is still in awe being amongst the other veteran athletes. I thought after indoors she would be a little flat but she still has a fire burning and is getting better."