Liberty Ricca ran a jaw-dropping 43-second PR in the 3,200 to claim a new Colorado No. 1 mark of 10:49.
If the name Liberty Ricca doesn't ring a bell, it will when you're done reading this (or if you were at the Runner's Roost Invite). Ricca has run within the shadows of Colorado's distance talk for long enough, but not anymore. After her performance this past weekend, she's clearly running in the bright vibrant light of that Colorado sunshine.
But let's rewind for a bit...
A year ago she finished 12th in the 4A state 3,200 championships as sophomore, and held a modest personal record of 11:32 from earlier in the season. Her PR ranked her 53rd among all-classifications in the event.
This year?
Ricca went quick to work on that. At the Runners Roost of Fort Collins Invitational she dropped 43 seconds off her personal best to run away with the win over the Wyoming Indoor 3200m State Champion. Yes - you read that right. Ricca ran a 43-second personal best in the 3,200 -- she ran 10:49
To put this more in perspective:
- That's passing the mile 21.5 seconds ahead of your previous best pace.
- That's running each lap 5.375 seconds faster.
Ricca's 10:49 is currently the No. 1 mark in all-classifications. Additionally, the time is a new school record by nine seconds.
The name Liberty Ricca should ring a bell now.
