Scotus graduate Engel captures five-mile race

Telegram Sports Editor

COLUMBUS - Molly Engel was rethinking her decision not to run in any other races this summer following Saturday's 18th annual Columbus Downtown Runaround,

Engel, a Concordia University runner and Scotus Central Catholic graduate, passed 2001 champion Michelle Thompson with a mile to go and went on to capture the women's five-mile title of the annual event.

James McGown, meanwhile, regained his spot at the top, winning his fourth men's five-mile title in the last five years.

Engel is believed to be the first women originally from Columbus to win the women's five-mile race in the 18-year history of the event.

The 2000 Class C girls state champion in cross country her senior year at Scotus, Engel was surprised by her success.

"I just tried to stay close to Michelle Thompson," said Engel, who now lists Lincoln as her home. "I knew she was really good. I actually just figured, 'Oh, if I was 100 meters behind her, I'll be doing good' because I usually can't even see her. I just felt pretty good and just happened to catch her."

Engel won the race with a time of 31 minutes, 58 seconds, while Thompson finished second and Jennifer Nikkila of Lincoln was third.

For Engel, the time was a vast improvement over last year's time.

"Last year, I ran about a 35:10, so you've got to be happy about that," Engel said. "That's probably the fastest I've ever run five miles. ... I usually don't even get in the top three, so I was really surprised.

"I'm usually about halfway in shape when I come here. ... But I've been putting in a lot of 10-mile runs. I think that's been boosting my endurance a little. So this five-mile run seemed a lot easier."

One of the top runners for the Concordia cross country and track teams, Engel finished in 20th place last year at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national cross country meet to earn All-America honors. Her performance helped the Bulldogs finish second in the women's team race for the third straight year.

Engel added a pair of national places at the NAIA outdoor meet in May at Olathe, Kan. She finished fifth in the 1,500-meter run and ran a leg on Concordia's 3,200-meter relay team, which finished sixth.

"This is a big confidence booster," Engel said of Saturday's win. "I'm really excited for cross country to start."

Engel's win came on a revised Downtown Runaround course, which weaved through Pawnee Park and to the entrance of Wagner and Stires lakes. The normal route, which went over the 33rd Ave. viaduct, was not used due to construction currently taking place on the viaduct.

"I think (the revised course was) a little easier because the viaduct kind of gets you a little bit the first mile," Engel said. "Otherwise, it's basically flat, so it's a fast course. I liked it."

The course also seemed to be to the liking of McGown, who had a three-year winning streak in the men's five-mile run snapped last year.

McGown, a guidance counselor at Shelton Public Schools, admitted that last year's loss to Aaron Carrizales, who outkicked him in the final stretch, did provide him with motivation.

"I wanted to come in here and run well," said McGown, who won in a time of 25:06. "I was a little disappointed with my time. My goal is to get under 25-flat. I didn't, so I was a little bit disappointed with that. But it's always nice when you get a win."

McGown won by more than a minute over Joe Metcalf of Norfolk. Metcalf, the five-mile men's record-holder who won with a 24:31 in 1998, was second on Saturday in 26:24, while Bryce Dickmeyer of Fremont finished third.

The five miles McGown ran must have seemed like a quick jog around the block compared to the mileage he's been putting in this summer. He's been going between 120-140 miles per week in preparation for the USA Olympic Trials, scheduled for February in Birmingham, Ala.

"That's what I'm kind of gearing for and looking forward to," said McGown, who qualified with his performance at the U.S. Men's Championships last February. "I trained straight through (the Runaround). I'll probably run 130 miles this week. I wanted to run well, but I wanted to keep the miles up."

McGown finished 11th in the U.S. Men's Half-marathon Championships at Kansas City in early June. He said he's also competed in some championship races for USA Track and Field.

"I have done well," McGown said. "I ran a really good time (in the half-marathon). ... Hopefully, it's a sign of things to come."

McGown said he enjoys coming to compete in the Downtown Runaround, not only because of his success, but also because of the people involved in the event.

"The people here are really supportive along the course, and the people involved, all the volunteers, do a great job," McGown said. "It's a great race.

"I always like coming back because all the people running the 2-mile, they stay around and encourage you. ... It's nice to run in front of people."