by Larry Eder
Maggie Vessey winning the Pre Classic, June 7, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Maggie Vessey has the second rated 800 meter performance in the world. Her racing style reminds me of Dave Wottle. She is, in my mind, the most unpredictable and dangerous women in the entire 800 meter field. If Greg Brock, her coach, can guide her through the rounds, and she stays relatively close to the field, Maggie Vessey has a strong shot at a medal in these Games.
New Balance sent RBR a release and some pics of Maggie’s special shoes. The product is an early example of the influence that Running General Manager Tom Carleo will have on the brand….Best wishes to Maggie!
TEAM NEW BALANCE RUNNER MAGGIE VESSEY TO COMPETE IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BERLIN
View of NB shoe for Maggie Vessey, courtesy of NB.
BOSTON, August 12, 2009 Recently signed Team New Balance member, Maggie Vessey will compete in the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin this weekend in the 800 meter race. Vessey has had a very successful 2009 season, winning over 800m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, OR, the Golden Gala meet in Rome and the Herculis Super Grand Prix meet in Monaco. In Monaco, she stunned the running world by racing to a win in the 800m with a time of 1:57.84, the fastest in the world at that time. Her performance was a new personal best by more than two seconds.
Vessey will be competing this weekend in the New Balance LDS606, a versatile spike that she wore for her winning performance in Monaco. In honor of the significance of the Berlin race, New Balance specially designed Vessey her very own pair of LDS606s in her signature colors – hot pink and black. The shoes feature her name on the back heel, an abstract star design on the shoe upper in honor of the USA flag, and the letters “USA†embroidered on the tongue.
NB LDS606, promo model for Maggie Vessey
“Everyone at New Balance congratulates Maggie’s terrific accomplishment in Monaco,†says Tom Carleo, general manager, running and outdoor at New Balance. “She’s an incredible competitor and we are thrilled to have her as a member of Team New Balance. We are excited to watch her this weekend in Berlin and we wish her all the best.â€
Another view of the spike.
Some of Vessey’s major achievements include placing 5th at the 2008 US Olympic Trials in a time of 2:02.01, earning the runner-up position in the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and being named a NCAA All-American. Vessey is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University. She currently lives and trains in Soquel, CA.
Vessey is coached by Greg Brock, the President of the Santa Cruz Track Club and currently the Cross Country and Track coach at Santa Cruz High School. New Balance signed Vessey to a multi-year contract in June 2009.
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance employs more than 4000 people around the globe, and in 2008 reported worldwide sales of $1.64 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
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