Tim Connelly Quotations

Part of the reason why Stephanie was so successful last year was that she knew she had to step up. Molly wasn't going to be able to get it done and Stephanie looked at the situation and said 'I'm going to get it done.' She's been a great leader ever since she's been here. Last year, she finally had all the pieces together where she could do it on the track, too. What I expect of her isn't any more than she expects of herself. She expects to improve.

I knew our top four would be good, but that we'd need to work on finding a fifth runner. I didn't think it would be that bad though. Quite honestly, a course like this for a kid like Jean, she couldn't get out very well. She closed well, but it's hard to come from behind on a course like this.

I'm really pleased. She went in with a really good frame of mind, really thought she could make the top five, focused on what she had to do, and executed. I've never seen a kid more relaxed.

The key with Molly is to not do too much too soon. If we do that, she is talented enough to run with the best, and obviously, the goal and the hope is that she'll be at the level she was at a year ago when she was seventh at the Olympic Trials. I don't see any reason why she can't get back to that.