Jan. 13, 2004
Published Monday, January 12, 2004
Missouri's Amanda Bales, led a 12-place finishing NCAA cross country team in every meet this season, and put on quite the show in just her sophomore campaign. This cross season she was third at Big 12s, won the Midwest Regional, and took 23 nd at the NCAA meet. "I definitely was happy with my season, but I wouldn't use the word satisfied. I don't settle. I set a new goal." Not too bad for a runner, who during her freshman year claimed to be only an 800-meter runner.
Redshirt-Sophomore Amanda Bales hails from Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa. Iowa gets a bad reputation and is known for bitter cold winters and corn fields, but distance running has a special home there. The Drake Relays. NCAA Cross Country Championships. Her parents, sisters, and friends don't mind that a bit. They make many trips to see her run, but the biggest have been in her home state.
The former versatile athlete tried her hand at running during her junior year because she heard about the relationships you could have through the sport. She found success early on including taking top honors at the Drake Relays in the 800 during her rookie season.
Bales, the talkative and caring young woman, wants to be a physical therapist, realized that running would take her somewhere. " I definitely love being around people. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends," said Bales. Although, Bales had options for school, it was Missouri that fit to her liking just fine. Five hours was close enough to her home in Iowa, for the family oriented Bales, who felt at home upon her immediate visit to Mizzou. "The team atmosphere felt right. There were awesome people who really cared, " commented Amanda on her visit to Missouri.
She's made her presence known early on in her new home in the Big 12 conference. She led the Tigers to the Midwest regional cross country crown in 2002, has two All Big 12 mentions in track to her credit, and had an All-American performance this season in cross. But, for Bales these plagues, pieces of paper, or trophies hold little value. Her biggest accomplishes are with her teammates, who are consistently a top twenty team. "The most memorable memories I have are anything team wise when we all did it together. Last year when we won regionals it was great to be there with the other girls. We had accomplished something together," said Bales.
After running scorching times in the distances last indoor track season, by posting times of 4:41.5 in the mile and 9:17 for 3000 meters, she met the automatic standards in both to qualify for Indoor Nationals. At the Big 12 meet, she took second in the mile, but limped out of the finals of the 1000. Bales came down with a stress fracture in her foot.
Bales might have been heartbroken, but she faced the trial with confidence. For Amanda, who lives with in a house with three of her teammates, running is just a small portion of her life. She is actively involved with Athletes in Action, and leads a Bible study with her teammates. "Running is definitely a gift. I give Him my anxieties, and it takes a load off. I know he has a plan. It's amazing to think that someone up above truly cares about all my needs," said Amanda who although young in her career, leans on God during the challenges that running can put in her path.
Bales missed Indoor Nationals in Fayetteville, and the injury forced her to redshirt her outdoor campaign. Many runners set high goals for a season, while Bales opts to set her goals race by race. "Personal goals sometimes get in the way of the big picture and can easily distract you from the task at hand. I think we can get ahead in running."
The former high school basketball player had range in shooting and now has range from 800 on the track to the 6K cross country course. Bales, now steps back onto the track to run in her quest for her first official National track experience, but for now she's focused on her opening race of the season at the Missouri Invitational. Her primary event is anyone's best guess. The former Drake Relays and Iowa State Champion at the 800-meter distance can't even tell you when you ask about her best event. "That's a really great question. I couldn't tell you. I started out as an 800 runner, and then I was thinking the mile, but I had fun when I got thrown into the 3000 as well."
So this winter and this spring, the country has no idea what to expect from her. The options are unclear with her event selection, but Bales is certain that running is definitely a ministry in her life. "I want to give the Lord the glory in my running. He has given me the talent and has shed his light so much on life. He has opened up so many doors through my running," added Bales.
After some time in Iowa, Bales returns to Missouri to open the track season this winter. The nation got a break last season with Bales absence at Nationals, but to the dismay of her competition - she is back and healthy. She learned from her time off to heal during the track season and views running in a different light now. " I realized how much I truly love running. I had days where I dreaded running when I was healthy before, but not anymore. I really missed it when I couldn't do it. It made me appreciate the gift so much more."