ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- For
Kate Gallagher, success as a sprinter arrived before she'd even learned all the technical aspects that go into a race.
The College of Saint Benedict senior was in junior high when she first entered the 100-meter dash … really on a whim.
"It's actually funny how that came about," said the Fargo (North Dakota) Shanley High School graduate, who competed at the state meet numerous times in both cross country and track and field over the course of her prep career.
"I started running cross country in sixth grade. Then, in seventh and eighth grade, I started middle school track. We were doing some workouts to make it fun, but I wasn't in great shape. And I was finishing in close-to-last place in every distance race I was in. So I asked if I could try sprints. The coaches said they weren't sure because I was a cross country runner. But they let me try the 100," said Gallagher
"I remember stepping up to the line and having no idea what I was doing," Gallagher noted. "All the other kids had blocks, but I did a standing start like I would for a distance race. Still, I ended up winning and setting a new meet record. After that, they figured maybe I could be a sprinter."
Gallagher eventually mastered the starting blocks and said it's now the technical side of sprinting that really draws her to it.
"The 60-meter dash (indoors) is pretty much all about the technical side of things – how you get out of the blocks and your technique," she said. "That's why it's my favorite race. I really love that stuff."
Her passion for sprints has been reflected in her performance. Gallagher has now run the race five times this indoor season and has set a school record on three occasions, most recently with a time of 7.88 seconds that was good enough for second place at last Saturday's (Feb. 17) St. Olaf Tostrud Classic in Northfield.
She enters this weekend's MIAC indoor meet – scheduled for Friday (Feb. 23) and Saturday (Feb. 24) in Northfield – seeded fifth in the event behind only Bethel junior Sarah Stellmach (7.87), Gustavus junior Kate Carlson (7.81), Bethel senior Jireh Babalola (7.78) and Macalester first-year Diarra Chatham (7.68).
"Last year, I was battling some injuries and my performance kind of ebbed and flowed," said Gallagher, who dealt with nagging knee issues as a junior. "This year, though, I'm feeling healthy and it seems like everything is clicking."
"Before the season, I talked to (CSB head coach) Robin (Balder-Lanoue) and I said my goal was to try and run in the 7.8s. I hit that (at the CSB/SJU Quad Meet on Feb. 10). So now I'd really love to run in the 7.7s this weekend."
Balder-Lanoue said that's certainly a realistic possibility.
"Our conference is so strong (in the 60) and Kate is someone who rises to the occasion," Balder-Lanoue said. "Coming into the conference meet, I'm excited for her to have this level of competition in front of her. It's going to be a fun challenge."
Of course, the 60 is not an event during the outdoor season. But Gallagher has been impressive in the longer sprints as well. She finished in fifth place (12.45 seconds) in the 100 and seventh (26.32) in the 200 at the MIAC outdoor meet last May. She actually ran a career-best time of 26.21 in the 200 prelims.
"With Kate, you have to pull the lens back a bit," Balder-Lanoue said. "Her success didn't just come this season. She's had a huge impact on our program from the moment she first stepped into it. She's someone who has built and built and built over the past four years."
An exercise and health science major who has twice earned Academic All-MIAC honors, Gallagher is considering an eventual career in physical therapy after she graduates this May.
"I'm still not entirely sure, but I love health care and I love exercise as preventive medicine," said Gallagher, who was also a competitive weightlifter in high school and was twice named her club's lifter of the year. "So I think I'm looking more at the physical therapy (PT) route. But right now, my plan is to take a gap year before starting PT school to get more clinical experience."
First up, though, is the rest of the indoor track season, then her final year outdoors.
"I feel like all the training I've done has started coming together and I'm in a space where my self-confidence is really high," said Gallagher. "I've had great support from my teammates and coaches and it seems like I've been able to find my groove. I just want that to continue and to enjoy the time I have left."
