Photos provided by HSU.

Humboldt State University Athletic’s Department:

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Tatiana Gillick has faced hurdles throughout the season, but when adversity struck again Saturday, she just kicked off her shoe and kept running.

Tatiana Gillick

Just 400 meters into Saturday’s NCAA Cross Country National Championships a fellow runner stepped on Gillick’s shoe and pulled it loose. The Flagstaff, Ariz., native continued the race as the shoe came off and halfway through the first loop she left it on the course and continued the run. She finished in 79th place out of 247 runners.
Despite completing the 6k race with just one shoe, Gillick crossed the finish line in 22:17.7.

“She got out in the position we had talked about and despite losing her shoe, she was actually still on target halfway through the race,” said Head Distance Coach Jamey Harris. “It’s hard to say where she would have finished with better luck, but I’m very happy with the way she performed under some difficult circumstances.”

“I think she performed well,” said Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Sarah Ingram. “Overall, I am satisfied with the way she placed. I think running without the shoe had an impact on her, I don’t know how big, but I feel like it definitely slowed her down. It was something that was unlucky, and there is nothing she could have done differently to avoid that happening.”

Gillick is no stranger to adversity as she began the season in a boot, suffered a shoulder injury and even fell during the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship meet.

“This probably didn’t phase her as much as it would a less experienced athlete,” said Ingram. “She just rolled with the punches. She is tough, and she kept a level head.”

Saturday’s result may not have been what Gillick and the coaching staff were looking for, but the junior gained valuable experience she can use in pursuit of the NCAA Championships next season.

“The silver lining is that Tatiana’s a junior, and has next year to aim for the coveted All-American,” said Ingram. “It’s been a valuable experience for her, and the goal for next year is to get the whole team out here.”

Five of the top 10 teams on the women’s side were from the West Region, including Chico State and Cal State San Marcos which placed fourth and eighth overall. Adams State won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

Saturday’s race was moved up two hours due to inclement weather forecast for the area. High winds, along with potential rain, and lightning were expected, but the conditions on race day proved to be ideal with light rain and warm temperatures.