Temple University Athletics
Two Races, Two School Records for Moore
3.29.21 | Women's Track and Field
Temple track and field star Grace Moore is off to a strong start in her final season with the Owls. On March 20th at the UCF Black and Gold Invitational, Moore broke the school record in the 3,000m by over 30 seconds during her season-opening victory with a time of 9:21.61.
Just one week later at the Raleigh Relays, Moore posted a 15:47.98 and lowered the school record in the 5,000m by 22 seconds in her sixth-place finish. The previous school record was set by Blanca Fernandez in 2016, who went on to be an NCAA All-American that year.
The early-season success comes after a full year of not racing due to the pandemic. However, the year of uninterrupted training put the fifth-year senior in a position to succeed.
"It was really exciting to finally put on the racing singlet for the first time in over a year," Moore explained about her race at UCF. "I was happy to run a personal best and felt like my performance was a good start to the season."
Training for over a year, without races to break up the training, can be mentally draining on a long-distance runner. "It was challenging at times, since I was training alone for about half a year, but I am thrilled that I was able to get in that long of a consistent training block," explained Moore.
With only four teams in attendance, the UCF Black and Gold Invite served as a rust buster for the athletes leading into the season's larger and more competitive races. However, as Moore approached the Raleigh Relays with the rust dusted off her spikes and as a member of an elite field, it was clear that a special performance was on the horizon.
From the start, Moore was able to hang in with professional runners and NCAA All-Americans in a performance that exceeded everyone's already high expectations. "I was not able to really see the clock as I was racing, but I knew it felt fast," Moore said. "After the race, my coaches and teammates came up and told me my time and we were all in shock."
After the record setting performances, the goal is to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where Moore will be able to compete for All-American honors. "I've grown so much as an athlete throughout my five years here, and this season is an opportunity for me to put all of the hard work together."
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Just one week later at the Raleigh Relays, Moore posted a 15:47.98 and lowered the school record in the 5,000m by 22 seconds in her sixth-place finish. The previous school record was set by Blanca Fernandez in 2016, who went on to be an NCAA All-American that year.
The early-season success comes after a full year of not racing due to the pandemic. However, the year of uninterrupted training put the fifth-year senior in a position to succeed.
"It was really exciting to finally put on the racing singlet for the first time in over a year," Moore explained about her race at UCF. "I was happy to run a personal best and felt like my performance was a good start to the season."
Training for over a year, without races to break up the training, can be mentally draining on a long-distance runner. "It was challenging at times, since I was training alone for about half a year, but I am thrilled that I was able to get in that long of a consistent training block," explained Moore.
With only four teams in attendance, the UCF Black and Gold Invite served as a rust buster for the athletes leading into the season's larger and more competitive races. However, as Moore approached the Raleigh Relays with the rust dusted off her spikes and as a member of an elite field, it was clear that a special performance was on the horizon.
From the start, Moore was able to hang in with professional runners and NCAA All-Americans in a performance that exceeded everyone's already high expectations. "I was not able to really see the clock as I was racing, but I knew it felt fast," Moore said. "After the race, my coaches and teammates came up and told me my time and we were all in shock."
After the record setting performances, the goal is to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where Moore will be able to compete for All-American honors. "I've grown so much as an athlete throughout my five years here, and this season is an opportunity for me to put all of the hard work together."
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