Conestoga grad Liz Costello has memorable run at 2016 Olympic Trials

For Conestoga High School grad Liz Costello, finishing sixth in the 10,000 meter run at the USA Olympic Track and Field Trials at University of Oregon July 2 was a memorable experience, even though she didn’t qualify for the Olympics.
This was the second time that Costello, a four-time state champion while at Conestoga (Class of 2006), competed in the Olympic Trials. The first was in 2012, when she finished 16th in the 10,000 meter run.

Costello, a professional runner for New Balance, earned a prize of $1,000 for finishing sixth out of the 24 runners in the field. Her time was 32:31 – the top three, all of whom qualified for the Olympics, were Molly Huddle (31:43), Emily Infeld (31:46) and Marielle Hall (31:54).
“This time around, I am much more excited about the result,” said Costello. “The highlight from the trip is that it brought together so many people that I have come to know and befriend thanks to this sport. While in Eugene, I was able to catch up with coaches, teammates, and friends from the various teams I have been on since high school.
“Seeing coaches Ryan Comstock (Conestoga), Peter Farrell (Princeton), JJ Clark (Tennessee), John Hricay and Curt Clausen (New York Athletic Club), and Mark Coogan (current coach with New Balance) all in one place makes me appreciate all of the people that have given me opportunities in running and that have helped me to be a better athlete and person over the years.
“My parents and brother were also able to be there, and it was great to have us all together.”
Costello’s most vivid memories of the race were during the final mile.
“At that point the end was near, and I wanted to finish in as a high a place possible, even if being in the top three was no longer realistic,” said Costello, whose personal best (31:43, set at the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University in May) betters the Olympic Standard.
“While the trials is your last chance to run the Olympic Standard time, a requirement for making the team, I thankfully already had run under that mark,” said Costello. “So [at Eugene] my primary concern was finishing place, the finishing time was irrelevant. So overall I am very pleased with the performance because it represents a significant improvement from where I was four years ago.”
While only the top three Runners at the Trials qualify for the Olympics, a qualifier also needs to have run the Olympic Standard during the season. So if the third place finisher does not have the standard under her belt then the fourth-place finisher at Trials would go to the Olympics if they had run the Olympic Standard during the season. All of the top three finishers at the Trials met the Olympic Standard during the season.
Costello became a member of Team New Balance Boston in September 2014 – she moved to Boston to begin training with Mark Coogan.
“It is an honor to run for New Balance,” said Costello. “Yes, they really do produce excellent footwear and apparel products, but it’s the familial environment that I love the most. New Balance takes great care of their athletes and was quick to make my family feel welcomed while in Eugene. I am so happy and thankful to be affiliated with such high quality and talented people.”
Costello finds that the greatest challenge of being a professional runner is being patient between completing the training and seeing the results.
“Just because you decide to fully dedicate yourself to something does not mean that you will immediately achieve your goals,” said Costello. “Learning to respect and enjoy the process is certainly challenging at times. And even when you do achieve one of your goals, a new one is instantly set. So it is important to find happiness in each step of the journey, even when there are more steps than originally anticipated.”