Sept. 4, 2009
Former University of North Carolina track and cross country standout Shalane Flanagan will be back on campus as a volunteer coach or the 2009 season.
Flanagan is a 2003 graduate of the university. While at Carolina, she became the first female to be an individual national champion in the history of the Tar Heel cross country program. She won the NCAA title twice, back-to-back in 2002 and 2003. Flanagan also scored many personal bests while running the 1500-meter, 3000-meter, and the 5000-meter events for the track team.
Most notably are Flanagan's post-graduate performances. In summer of 2008 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., Flanagan won the 10000-meter final to punch her ticket to the Beijing Games. While in Beijing, Flanagan tagged herself an Olympic medal winner when she took bronze in the 10000-meter run.
In August of 2009, Flanagan represented the United States in the 10000-meter once again at the IAAF World Championships held in Berlin. While making a strong showing, Flanagan did not medal.
Flanagan is also the American record holder in the 3000-meter, the 5000-meter, and the 10000-meter runs. She has also taken the United States national title in the 5000-meters twice.
Flanagan is a native of Marblehead, Mass.
