Very interesting topic…so I think I just might put in my 2 cents worth…
The following statements are simply ludicrous:
1) â€Tornes would eat Skidmore for brunchâ€
2) “But if you are arguing on who is the better runner, than it is Tornes with easeâ€
3) “Tornes was way better than Skidmore ever was or ever will be. Hands down Ashleigh is by far the better runner!!!â€
4) “Tornes beat her with ease at the TVC meet, this race wasnt really that close. So...haha.â€
5) “Ashleigh Tornes was much better than Skidmore....hands down.â€
6) “Hardly any athletic girls run XC.â€
I truly doubt that if you were to ask either of these fine runners if they thought they were “hands down†better or could eat the other for brunch, lunch, breakfast, or dinner, neither would say that. In fact, I would like to think that there was/is mutual respect between these fine lady athletes.
I can also say for a fact that at many head-to-head races, it was one little blonde-haired girl wearing Red & Black against 2 relatively larger and and physically imposing Waterford Wildcats….an intimidating challenge from which Emily Skidmore usually came out the WINNER.
Hear are a few facts….
Skidmore raced against Tornes and Drayer in at least 5 High School track meets, in some combination of the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters.
1) Drayer has only beaten Skidmore 1 time in the mile (CLOSE RACE)
2) Tornes beat Skidmore 3 times in her senior year (All CLOSE RACES), once in the 1600, and twice in the 3200. Tornes currently holds the 3200 TVC record.
3) In all other races, Skidmore was the winner!!!
Compare this to several other facts…
1) In 2006, as a sophomore, Skidmore set 3 TVC records in the 800, 1600, and 3200…ALL in ONE NIGHT. With this accomplishment, she erased Drayer and Tornes from the High School TVC record book (until Tornes reclaimed the 3200 in 2007 – a very good run indeed. I believe that Drayer holds the Junior High TVC Record for the 1600).
2) Skidmore is a 2-time TVC Ohio Division High Point Champion, winning this honor her freshman and sophomore years.
3) Skidmore chose to run Cross Country as opposed to playing volleyball, which, given the fact that she is an ALEXANDER SPARTAN, is rather ironic.
4) Skidmore is heading to her 4th straight appearance at the Ohio State Cross Country Meeting…a incredible spectacle at which there are many AMAZING athletes.
5) Skidmore has been on the Podium at the Ohio State Cross Country Meet 2 times, and is looking to make it 3 on Saturday, November 1, 2008 (Good luck, Emily!!!)
6) Skidmore won the TVC Cross Country Meet 4 straight years – an accomplishment that has NEVER been done before, by any male or female TVC runner.
7) Skidmore is a two-time DIII, District 13 Cross Country champion.
Skidmore was a part of the Alexander Lady Spartans DIII FINAL FOUR Basketball team in the 05-06 season.
9) Skidmore has been on the Podium at the Ohio State Track Meet two times, once in DIII in the 3200 meter run (beating Tornes) and once in DII in the 1600 meter run.
If I have made any factual errors, please let me know, and I will gladly correct this post.
Congratulations to Ashleigh Tornes on a fine High School running career.
Best of luck to seniors Emily Skidmore, Emily Dunfee, Syd Schulz, Jessi Drayer, and all the rest of the distance runners in their upcoming sporting events as student athletes!!! I am looking forward to an exciting track season in 2009...