HEIDI WESTERLING
GOING THE DISTANCE
By Gretchen Abendschein
At age 26 Acworth native Heidi Westerling has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments.
In 2004 Heidi was named Athlete of the Year at University of Rhode Island where she holds the university’s records at the 3,000 and 5,000 meters indoors and 5,000 and 10,000 meters outdoors. In October 2005 Heidi was named USA Track and Field –New England’s Athlete of the Month. In that same month Heidi ran her debut marathon at the Cape Cod Marathon and won, completing the 26.2 mile course in an impressive 2:46:37 in a field of over 1200 marathoners.
In May 2006 Heidi qualified to compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials when she won the Vermont City U.S. Marathon in 2:44:02, well under the 2:47 "B" qualifying standard and almost 5 minutes ahead of the second-place woman. Heidi won the Vermont City U.S. Marathon once again this year.
Heidi in the 2005 Cape Cod Marathon ~ Click to enlarge
The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
will be held in Boston on April 20, 2008.
To make the "A" standard for women a runner must complete the marathon in 2:39:00. If Heidi is able to finish the marathon in 2:31:00 she will automatically qualify for the Olympics. If no women in the race meet these standards, the runners with the top three times will be chosen to go to the Olympics.
When asked how she first became interested in running, Heidi explained that her father, Tom, suggested she get involved in an independent sport during her freshman year in high school. This was obviously a life-changing decision for Heidi.
To this day Heidi has only the highest regard for Larry Sayers, the Fall Mountain High School track and field coach. She suggests that every student who attends Fall Mountain should work with Larry Sayers because he gives 110% to his kids.
Now that she’s back in the area Heidi runs every night with Larry Sayers and has been enjoying the new track at Fall Mountain High School.
Heidi just completed her master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Rhode Island where she also received her undergraduate degree and had been given a full scholarship to attend school there.
Slideshow of Heidi running the Cape Cod Marathon
Photos courtesy Heidi Westerling
Heidi is currently the manager at the Charlestown Pool where she lifeguards and teaches swimming. She’s been manager at the pool for the past five summers and has worked there as a lifeguard since age 16.
This autumn Heidi will be starting a new job teaching fifth grade at the North Charlestown School.
We wish Heidi much luck in all her future endeavors.