BOSTON – Four outstanding, female distance and middle distance runners have joined the Boston Athletic Association, the organization has announced. Elaina Balouris, Juliet Bottorff, and Emily Lipari completed their collegiate eligibility in June, and they will reside and train in Boston, representing the B.A.A. These athletes will join Katie Matthews, another recent graduate who has been training and racing with the B.A.A. since the beginning of this year when she completed her collegiate eligibility. All four women are part of the B.A.A.’s new high performance team and will be coached by the B.A.A.’s Terrence Mahon.
Three-time U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines (2000, Sydney, 10,000 meters; 2004, Athens, marathon; and 2008, Beijing, 5,000 meters) was the first athlete to become part of the high performance team when the B.A.A. announced the launch of the program last Autumn. She is among the most accomplished female distance runners in U.S. history.
“The objective of the B.A.A.’s high performance group of athletes is to support American runners on their way towards making international teams and to compete at the Olympic and world championship level,” said Mahon. “Each of these talented women is capable of transitioning from a decorated U.S. collegiate career to a successful professional career, and we look forward to providing them with a complete infrastructure with which to meet this goal.”
adidas, the long-time sponsor of the Boston Athletic Association and B.A.A. events – including the Boston Marathon®, provides essential financial support and equipment for the B.A.A.’s high performance initiative.
The athletes announced will begin representing the B.A.A. immediately at races.
Newly-joined B.A.A. athletes (in alphabetical order):
Elania Balouris
College: William and Mary
Hometown: Allison Park, Penn.
Recent highlight: Fifth place at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at 10,000 meters.
Athlete Bio
Juliet Bottorff
College: Duke University
Hometown: Newark, Delaware
Highlights: 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Champion (10,000 meters); third place at 10,000 meters and 5th place at 5,000 meters at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships; fourth place at the 2014 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championship (10,000 meters).
Athlete Bio
Emily Lipari
College: Villanova University
Hometown: Greenvale, New York
Recent highlights: 2014 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Champion (mile); fourth place at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship (1500 meters).
Athlete Bio
Katie Matthews
College: Boston University
Hometown: Rocky Hill, Conn.
Highlights: Fifth place at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at 10,000 meters; fifth place at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship at 5,000 meters.
Athlete Bio
Also:
Jen Rhines
College: Villanova University
Hometown: Liverpool, New York
Highlights: (U.S. Olympian in 2000, 10,000 meters; U.S. Olympian in 2004, marathon; and U.S. Olympian in 2008, 5,000 meters);
Five-time NCAA individual champion; multiple-time USA Track & Field track and road race champion.
IAAF Bio and USATF Bio
About the Boston Athletic Association and its high performance team:
Established in 1887, the B.A.A. is a non-profit organization committed to running and has played an integral role in the support and development of the sport throughout the United States since its inception. From fielding athletes who competed at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 through the 118th Boston Marathon in April 2014 and the B.A.A. 10K last month, the pursuit of excellence in middle and long distance running has stood at the fore of the organization.
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