Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Julie Allen

Steve Virgen

When Julie Allen runs, she finds herself, truly finds herself. With

each stride she displays her qualities, and it’s not all about winning.

Titles and awards are only half the result of discovering Julie Allen.

She’s all about an infectious smile, hard work and never being

satisfied.

“Running for me is like an example of how you are as an athlete and as

a person,” said Allen, a Corona del Mar High senior distance runner. “As

an athlete I bring out the best person in me.”

Allen’s best has been on display throughout the 2001-02 school year,

and she continues to illustrate her passion for her sport, as she

competeS in the 3,200-meter state final tonight at 6:25 at Cerritos

College.

In each race, Allen learns more about herself. And, in each of Allen’s

races, spectators capture the essence of distance running: rhythm,

balance, patience and aggressiveness, just as an art form.

Allen’s drive has willed her to two school records this season in

track and field, in the 1,600 and 3,200. Last week, the Daily Pilot

Athlete of the Week broke the school record in the 1,600 in 4:57.57 to

finish second at the Masters Meet. Allen, the CIF Southern Section

Division III champion in the 1,600 and 3,200, also finished second in the

3,200.

Allen, who will run for Stanford next season, dropped the 1,600 to

solely concentrate on the 3,200 for state competition. In the 3,200, she

completed a personal-best 10:33.95, a school record and the third-best

time in the state, to win the CIF Division III title May 18.

All the while, she has maintained the same attitude, never buckling to

pressure, only rising to the occasion.

“Sometimes she gets me nervous because she doesn’t get nervous,” CdM

Coach Bill Sumner said. “She has 35 seconds until the race and she’s

under no pressure. There are a few times when she’s nervous, but 98% of

the time, it’s no problem. I’m trying to get her a little wired.”

Allen seems to have plenty of energy after her races. She’s usually

the last off the track and she always tries to congratulate each runner.

“She’s not looking for people to notice that about her,” Sumner said

of Allen’s habit of encouraging everyone. “She’s always cheering for her

teammates, too. She won’t leave the finish line until every girl has

crossed. She’s always this bundle of energy. You know those yellow

happy-smiley faces? Put a pair of legs on that and you have Julie Allen.”

But there are times, though rare, when this queen of nice becomes

angry.

“I think I get angry at myself the most,” Allen said. “You can control

a race and improve and when I don’t feel like I do that, that’s when I

get a little bit angry.”

Allen has been able to overcome the anger. And, when she does, she’s

able to be even more calm under pressure. There’s a challenge -- when

she’s in a race, the majority know who she is and what she brings -- that

Allen thrives on, so pressure is hardly an issue.

“There’s definitely some expectancy for me (in each race),” said

Allen, the Pacific Coast League Female Athlete of the Year. “That can

present itself in two ways: you can look it as pressure or you can look

it as an opportunity to be yourself and be an example. That’s a neat

opportunity. I think that’s rewarding, to be an example.”

Allen will run her final high school race today in the 3,200, and she

wants to make it her best.

“I want to finish strong,” Allen said. “I have three more races (CIF

State Finals today, Golden West Invitational next week and the USA

National Championships at Stanford June 21). I’m excited to go out there

and let it loose, be free to just go and not hold anything back.”