Go Ann Go!!

From today's State Journal-Register...(and keep an eye out for a story from Ch. 20)...

Running club aids Gaffigan

By Staff reports
STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Jun 27, 2008 @ 01:34 AM


The Springfield Road Runners Club, the home club of Springfield native Ann Gaffigan, will sponsor Gaffigan as she aims to make the United States Olympic track and field team in the steeplechase.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field begin today and run through July 6 in Eugene, Ore. With a $1,000 donation to Gaffigan, the 1,300-plus members of the SRRC will help defray some of her expenses as she travels to Eugene for the Trials.

Gaffigan, who runs for Team New Balance, will wear apparel with the SRRC logo before and after her events at the Trials. Gaffigan, 26, lives in Lincoln, Neb., and is a Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and University of Nebraska graduate. She and her family have been long-time members of the SRRC.

Gaffigan was the 2004 U.S. national champion and the 2004 Big 12 Conference champion in the steeplechase. Two networks (NBC & USA) will provide television coverage of the Trials.

The SRRC will host a viewing party at Sammy’s Sports Bar & Grill (217 S. 5th Street, Springfield) for the steeplechase finals, which are July 3 at 11:45 p.m. CDT. USA Network’s coverage of the Trials will be from 10 p.m.-midnight on July 3.