Following cancellation of 2020 national event at JDL Fast Track, two of division’s all-time great female distance runners from Loras and Messiah return to venue seeking not only more wins, but closure to emotional chapter of their careers

By Erik Boal and Mary Albl for DyeStat

Nothing can halt a distance runner’s momentum like the simple act of not being able to take the next step.

For Kassie Parker of Loras and Messiah’s Esther Seeland, they found themselves running in place two years ago at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C., with no signs of their next race in sight.

Both athletes had won NCAA Division 3 Outdoor Championships in 2019, with Seeland beginning to establish her legacy in the 800 meters at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, and Parker capturing the 10,000-meter crown that provided an indication as to her future potential in the longer distances.

But neither individual was able to add to their championship resumes at the Division 3 Indoor Championships in 2020, because the event scheduled to be held at JDL Fast Track was canceled on the eve of the meet as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic changing the landscape of collegiate sports forever.

Both competitors have since secured another national title and achieved all-time track performances, but they still have unfinished business as Parker and Seeland return to JDL Fast Track to compete Friday and Saturday at the Division 3 Indoor Championships, the first NCAA indoor final the division has showcased since the cancellation.

“I think it is very motivating. It feels like a lot got taken away and there’s been a lot of growth and progress, but now is finally the chance to go after it again,” Seeland said. “Of course, I just want to run fast and do the best I can, but going back there is kind of a chance to almost take back what we lost a little bit.”

Seeland is entered in the 800, where she boasts the fastest performance on an indoor 200-meter track in Division 3 history with her 2:05.39 effort Feb. 11 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University. She is also scheduled to run the 3,000 against fellow NCAA champions Parker and Ella Baran of Johns Hopkins.

Parker, the first female athlete in Division 3 history to eclipse the 16-minute barrier in the indoor 5,000 after clocking 15:58.58 on Feb. 11 at Iowa State, also has the distance medley relay as part of her expected schedule, looking to contribute significant points as Loras and Johns Hopkins battle Wisconsin-LaCrosse for the team title.

“There are some athletes who have completed the 5K-DMR (double) before, so I’m not too worried. Plus I love the challenge,” Parker said. “I feel like it was good to practice competing in all three events at conference to get a feel on my legs of what it’ll feel like. My legs honestly didn’t feel too bad, but this weekend, I’ll add in more recovery.”

Both athletes excelled at their respective conference championship meets, with Seeland winning Middle Atlantic Indoor titles in the 400, 800, mile, 4x800 and DMR.

Parker produced the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 triple crown at the American Rivers Indoor Championships.

“It’s really just a team thing and just treat it as a hard workout basically,” Seeland said. “And I think it was good to prove to myself that I am capable and in good shape and at this point for indoor all the work has been done.”

Parker, who prevailed in the 6-kilometer race at the Division 3 cross country national final Nov. 20 in Louisville, is looking to achieve more history by capturing the first women’s distance title in any indoor event for Loras.

“To be the first person to do anything in program history is a huge honor,” Parker said. “Times can always be broken, but only one person can be the first. I also hope that by trailblazing this path, it inspires others in the program after me to know this is a realistic goal.”

Seeland, who triumphed in the 800 in 2:02.52 at the Division 3 outdoor final at North Carolina A&T in May, isn’t concerned with chasing any records in Saturday’s final. She just wants to focus on winning the indoor championship that has been kept just out of her reach for the past two years.

“I mean, of course I want it, the last time I had the chance was three years ago now, it will be interesting to be back at JDL where the last supposed to and go canceled, I mean, there’s some emotion associated with that, but good motivation,” Seeland said. “I think honestly, I just want to race hard, race to the best of my abilities. I don’t really want to go in setting specific numbers. I don’t like going in that way. I want to just run hard, and see what I’m capable of. I’m a couple of months in and it’s my last shot at indoor, so really that 800, I just want to see what I can do.”

And both Parker and Seeland will cross paths Saturday in the 3,000, in addition to Baran, competing in the final women’s individual race of the championship meet.

Parker has run the second-fastest time in division indoor history on an oversized track at 9:13.10, with Baran produced the top all-time Division 3 effort on a 200-meter indoor surface by clocking 9:13.32. Seeland is entered at 9:54.15, marking the first time all three stars will square off in the same competition this season.

“Giving the 3K some thought, the 3K will be an honest race, although either of us won’t be fresh,” Parker said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out, although anything can happen at nationals. By the time the race rolls around, I’ll trust my legs and body to leave everything out there on the track.”

An opportunity they have all been waiting two years to materialize, to have the opportunity to leave a lasting impression at JDL Fast Track.

“I think I’m in the best shape I can be at the moment, so everything I’ve done up to this point, the work is done going into it this week, it’s just getting yourself prepped and feeling good and mentally focused,” Seeland said. “I’ve done what I needed to do, so I’m ready to go.”