There are those who say life is a constant barrage of hurdles to be overcome. Some people run around these hurdles; others go right through them. Senior track stud and uber-competitor Allie Molesky would rather jump over them.
At the recent Atascadero Memorial Meet, Molesky led the Nipomo Titans with a winning triple jump of 33 feet and 10 inches and the 100-meter hurdles in 17.2 seconds.
In addition to competing in the triple jump and hurdles, Molesky also anchors the 4-by-4 relay. While Molesky admits she likes staying active and busy, keeping up at track meets can be a challenge.
“Time management is tough because there are no breaks between three competitions, so I have to make sure I stay hydrated,” Molesky said. “I feel like I’m going to die sometimes, but I always try my hardest.”
Molesky no doubt excels in each of her events, but at the end of the day her heart lies with hurdling. The senior decided she wanted to try hurdling after watching former NHS star Missey Ramsey race hurdles at a meet.
“When most people start hurdling, they jump too high so you have to learn technique. If you don’t know that, you will hit the hurdles,” Molesky said.
The senior shared that hurdling is an event in which those who are dedicated enough will gradually become faster, and Molesky has definitely gained speed—she’s down to three steps between hurdles.
“The biggest challenge is being able to maintain speed throughout the entire race; one misstep could make you go down,” she said.
The senior said she made one big change to her training regimen this year, and she now feels stronger and faster.
“I lift weights with the throwers every day after track practice,” she said. “Pre-strategizing before a race has helped a lot, too.”
Molesky came out early this season and ran a speedy 16.6 seconds for the 100-meter hurdles. Longtime Nipomo track coach Lawrence Rucker expects big things from his lead hurdler this season. Rucker said Molesky was team co-MVP last season as well as league champion in hurdling.
“She fell in love with hurdling her freshman year and actually gets mad when she can’t hurdle,” he said. “Molesky is definitely a team leader; I can trust her to lead my jumpers through their exercises.”
Rucker added that he often has to slow her down; she works too hard and too fast for some of the other athletes.
Molesky has worked with Rucker all four years at NHS. She said he has definitely improved her jumps.
“He comes across as rough, but if you work hard and get on his good side, he is a coach who will get you where you need to be,” she said.
For the rest of the season, Molesky wants to continue dominating in her events.
“Track has definitely taught me to never give up and to stay responsible,” she said.
The senior wants to run track in college while pursuing a career in forensic pathology. Molesky said, as of right now, she wants to go to Hancock to continue working on her hurdling skills with Rucker—who is also coaches track at Hancock—before moving on to a four-year university. For Molesky, the constant practice, weightlifting, and competition are all worth the effort and hard work.
“It feels so rewarding to run a race and not hit any hurdles,” she said. “It is the best feeling in the world.”
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 3, 2014.
