Skieresz Is Unable to Outrun Spotlight

In the world of college distance running, she might be the nation’s brightest star.

Yet Amy Skieresz of the University of Arizona has a kind of love-hate relationship with the sport.

The 1995 graduate of Agoura High is enamored by running, enjoys racing immensely and thrives on winning, but she could do without the recognition that has come with her success.

Skieresz is undefeated in six races this season and has won by an average of 32 seconds, but she’ll be a reluctant favorite when the NCAA championships are held at Dell Urich Golf Course in Tucson on Monday.

“I knew I would be labeled the favorite at the start of the season because [I finished second] last year,” said Skieresz, a sophomore. “But I try not to think about it as much as I can.”

Skieresz’ attitude stems from two factors.

First of all, she is naturally shy and isn’t comfortable being the center of attention.

Second, she doesn’t like being known as Amy Skieresz, the runner.

That title probably fit during her first 2 1/2 years at Agoura. But two painful experiences since, including an Achilles’ tendon injury that prevented her from competing in the NCAA track championships earlier this year, made her realize there is more to life than running.

“You can get real caught up in it during the season,” Skieresz said. “I know I did. I ran well in this race and I ran well in that race and then I started thinking about [the NCAA championships] and the Olympic trials. And then I was injured and it all just stopped one day. And for like a week, I was in a state of shock. I couldn’t run and I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

She experienced similar feelings during her junior year at Agoura after her parents forbade her from running track because her grades slipped below their standards.

“I was really bitter,” Skieresz said. “But now, looking back on it, I think it was for the best. It made me realize that there was more to life than running. It made me change some of my priorities and I think that was good.”

The forced exile from track gave Skieresz her first extended break from running. That was sorely needed by someone who was an age-group phenomenon at age 10, ran a stunning 10 minutes 45 seconds in the 3,200 meters in sixth grade and finished third in the national high school cross-country championships as a sophomore.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Skieresz said. “It definitely made me appreciate running a lot more.”

Skieresz did not have a great senior cross-country season by her standards, finishing 14th in the national championships, but her track season was superb.

She lowered her bests to 4:52.70 in the 1,600 and 10:16.42 in the 3,200, and placed second in the 3,200 in the State championships. Perhaps most importantly, she rediscovered her joy for running.

“I fell in love with it again,” she said. “I realized that I needed to do it for myself and no one else and that makes training and racing so much more enjoyable.”

The improved attitude translated into a superb freshman year at Arizona. Skieresz won four of her first six cross-country races and was second in the NCAA championships.

In track she set a school record of 15:45.59 in the 5,000 in the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational in April before being injured.

She recovered in time to place 11th in the 5,000 in the Olympic trials in June, but she never expected to be undefeated at this stage of the season.

“I didn’t think it was going to go this well,” she said. “It’s been a big surprise, but the true test will be the national championships because there are going to be a lot of girls there that I haven’t seen before.”

But few people expect Skieresz to be beaten on her home course.

Not her boyfriend, Ryan Wilson, No. 2 runner for defending national champion Arkansas, and not Coach Dave Murray, who is in his 30th year at Arizona.

“If she runs well, it’s going to be very hard for someone to beat her,” Wilson said.

“I think in her [mind], she knows that.”

Murray is even more optimistic.

“I can’t think of anyone who can beat her,” he said. “I’m not going to tell her that, but that’s the way I feel.

“She is just so focused and--knock on wood--healthy that I don’t think anyone is going to be able to run with her.”

If only Skieresz could avoid fame that easily.