The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Ambrus Ready To Compete in NCAA National Championship
11/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Nov. 18, 2007
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Earlier this season, senior Elizabeth Ambrus thought her collegiate cross country career had come to an end. After racing at the Notre Dame Invitational, she found out that she had mono and her chances of being able to race again this year were slim.
Even though the prospect of her being able to return were bleak, Ambrus was cleared to run and performed well enough in her final two meets that she earned an automatic bid to race in her second NCAA Championship in Terre Haute, Ind., Monday, almost two months after thinking her season was again finished early.
"When I was first told that I had mono I thought my season was over," Ambrus said. "I didn't know if I was going to be able to come back and race again."
Her first race back came days after doctors revaluated her and determined that she was able to run. But after three weeks of no training, it was unsure if she could perform to her capabilities.
Despite the odds against her, Ambrus had a strong performance at the Conference USA Championship. She placed seventh overall, and was the Blazers top finisher.
She would have an two additional weeks to prepare for the NCAA South Regional race, where she would have the chance to earn a second trip to the national championship.
At the regional meet, Ambrus placed ninth and was only 13 seconds off her 6K personal best. She also qualified for automatically qualified for nationals, which head coach Ray Stanfield said was a tremendous accomplishment.
"For her to be out three weeks and qualify for the national meet is one of the best stories of the year in collegiate cross country," Stanfield said. "To have no activity for three weeks and make the championship is outstanding. She absolutely willed herself into the national championship."
This will be the second time that Ambrus will run in the national championship meet.
The first came in 2005, as a junior, when Ambrus was the C-USA individual champion and women's cross country athlete of the year. That year Ambrus finished 57th at the national championship and posted a 6K personal-best time of 20:45.1.
In her second trip, Ambrus said her strategy for her second national meet will be different since she has competed in it before.
"Last time we took a more conservative approach where I moved up later in the race," Ambrus said. "Know that I know how the race will play out, I know what to expect."
The NCAA National Championship race will be carried live on CSTV beginning at 11:55 a.m. CT.
