By Bryce Dole
Sadi Henderson’s victory lap around Hayward Field was run with the same ease, relaxation and confidence that she displayed in her 800-meter win at Friday’s Twilight Meet. Minutes after crossing the finish line in 2 minutes, 4.26 seconds, the Boise State redshirt junior took off on her lap of pride at a bright pace filled with smiles.
“We don’t get victory laps in Boise,” Henderson said. “So I was really enjoying it, soaking it all in.”
However, the race was by no means run as easily as Henderson made it look. Pace setter Shea Collinsworth of Oregon Track Club Elite immediately took the field out to a first lap of 1:01, setting Henderson at the speed where she could capitalize.
“It felt really easy — I think we were shooting for like 60 to 59 (seconds),” said Henderson. “It didn’t feel like it was 61. It felt like we were holding back.”
Henderson held the lead close behind the pacer Collinsworth until 300 meters to go, where Henderson stepped in to finish the job.
In third place was Henderson’s Boise State teammate, freshman Kristi Schoffield, who finished in 2:09.17. Henderson has high praise for Schoffield and the Boise State distance powerhouse that has been built over the past few years.
“When I got here we were at the very bottom, so to see it come this far in four years is really fulfilling,” said Henderson. “Having Kristie is really cool because she and I have really similar training, so we can build off each other in workouts.”
Henderson has developed into a strong leader among the Boise State distance squad, and recently won the U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association award for West Region Female Track Athlete of the Year.
“The theme for the last few years has been about the team building,” she said. “We’re trying to build a mindset that it’s way more fulfilling if you’re feeling the whole team culture and engaging in relationships. That’s where my mind is at.”
After falling in the preliminary round of the NCAA Indoor National Championships this past season, which she called an “eye opener,” Henderson is looking forward with confidence, enhanced by Friday’s successes.
“You can really take it for granted how easily something can go wrong,” she said. “It just made me a lot more appreciative of my health and fitness.”
Henderson will get her chance at championship redemption next week at the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
