Silhouette

Issue date: 10/24/02 Section: Sports

Sarah Brisendine, Garden City, qualified for nationals last year. Brisendine has been proven a leader in races, as she finished sixth at the Garden City Invitational.

All Sarah Brisendine, Garden City, needs for her competitive leadership is her will to run and her two green rings.

Her leadership is not shown on the outside. It is shown through her ability to run.

"Sarah knows what it takes to get there," James White, assistant track coach, said. "She is a quiet leader, she shows by example."

When one speaks to Brisendine about her running ability, she shows a very modest spirit. Brisendine said she runs for herself.

"I just like running because it gives me a time to myself," Brisendine said. "It gives me a time to think and to relieve stress."

The color green is also a motivation for Brisendine.

"Every time I run, I wear my two green rings," Brisendine said. "Sometimes I have a green necklace and a green bracelet, too."

To prepare for her races, Brisendine runs every day, lifts weights, and does sit-ups.

"We're up to 800 sit-ups a day," Brisendine said.

Brisendine began competitively running during her junior year in high school, and hasn't stopped since.

"I always wanted to run," Brisendine said. "I've always wanted to run, since the fourth grade. I just didn't get to running until my junior year."

Brisendine decided to attend Garden City Community College because it was close to home.

"I wasn't ready to go elsewhere," Brisendine said. "I have a job and good friends here."

White said he was pleased to see Brisendine at Garden City Community College.

"When I saw Sarah at time trials, I saw her talent and I was very excited to have her run for us," White said.

Brisendine said she plans on attending a four-year university, but she does not know if she will continue running at the college. After graduating from college, Brisendine plans to continue her running legacy.

"I plan on running for the rest of my life," Brisendine said. "I'll find meets from magazines and I'll get into my own races. It'll be neat to see different courses."

Not being sure of running at a four-year university proves Brisendine's ambition to run on her own.

"I'm more interested in running for fun," Brisendine said. "More so than doing it for school."

Brisendine also gives advice for runners seeking competition.

"Don't give up," Brisendine said. "Have patience and only do something if you really want to and you're going to put full effort into it the whole way."

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