Alex Dunne
Jr., San Clemente
San Clemente, CA
Highlights: Captured a bronze medal at the World Junior Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland ... Dunne (photo by Margot Kelly, calrunners.com) finished second (16:48) to Jordan Hasay at Mount SAC, recording the sixth fastest time ever at the event … Ran a 5k PR of 17:43 at the Clovis Invitational, placing first … Placed second (16:44) to Texas standout Sarah Andrews at the Woodbridge Invitational … Has lost only dual meet in her three-year career … Placed 28th at the Foot Locker West Regional in 2007
Coach (Dave Proodian) says: “She’s really determined to do the best that she can. As far as a student athlete, she’s got everything together. She’s very appreciative of what she’s able to do, the talent that she has been given. But talent is one thing, going out there and doing what you need to do is another. You can be as talented as you want, but you still have to be able to put the work in. She has put all the work in and done what she needs to do to get to where she is. She doesn’t let setbacks bother her, she uses it as motivation later on.”
Dunne says: “It’s a blessing, though, to have someone like [Jordan Hasay] to try to catch up to year after year. There’s always bigger and better that I can reach, instead of being complacent with where I am. My biggest goal was to run low 17’s [at Mt. SAC]. I was definitely happy with my performance, and to be so close to [Hasay] at the 2-mile mark was an amazing feeling. Everything has been going really well this season. I am a lot more focused now and dedicated than I have been in the past. And I am getting a lot more sleep this year, which, I think has been the key to my success so far. My workouts have a lot more quality now.”
Summer mileage (max): 46
Weekly mileage: 30
Training shoes: Asics DS Trainer
Race day superstitions: Always wears the same pink socks
Hobbies: Writing
Favorite actress: Reese Witherspoon