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Angela Saidman qualified in two events, winning the 800 meters and taking second in the 1,500 meters in the 11-12-year-old age group. Suzy Martin finished fourth in the 1,500 meters in the 13-14 age group. Martin nearly doubled as well, taking sixth in the 800. Keina Mitchell of Brooklyn nipped Martin by .07 seconds for the final spot for nationals in the last stride.
Saidman, who earned All-American honors when she finished seventh in Junior Olympic nationals in December in cross country, won the 800 in 2:24:03. Despite the heat, she improved her seeded time by six seconds. She won by more than four seconds over Caroline Fischer of New Hampshire.
Saidman, of Bethel, fell during the 1,500, but recovered to run 5:01.86. Sarah Flynn of New York won the race in 5:01.81. Saidman’s time was a six-second improvement from her seeded time.
Westport's Martin ran 2:28.66 in the 800 on Saturday, a dramatic six-second drop from her seeded time. She shook off the disappointment the next day and ran 5:10.62 in the 1,500 to earn a berth a nationals. Martin improved on her seeded time by nearly six seconds. Saidman and Martin will compete in the national championships at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C. The meet runs from July 22-28.
Saidman and Martin are coached by Mary Zengo and Kevin Foley at the Wilton Running Club.
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