2022-04-27

Double-gold at nationals for Bridgewater track athlete

BRIDGEWATER - Zoe Mosher ran circles around her competition, capturing a pair of gold medals during the national indoor championships held in New Brunswick last month.

The 14-year-old excelled at the Athletics Canada event, leading the pack in the 1,200-metre and 2,000-metre races in Saint John.

"I just wanted to try my best," Mosher, of Bridgewater, said in an interview, reflecting on the two wins. "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it."

Her first trip to the podium followed her 6:50.20 time in the 2,000-metre competition. She bettered about 11 other runners to get into the top spot.

"I tried to get to a good place at the start," Mosher said. "Near the finish, I was trying to finish strong."

She was back out there the next day for the 1,200-metre race.

"I just tried to ignore everything that happened," she said of her mindset, saying she focused on being rested and ready for the second race, which involved about 13 runners; some of whom were in the 2,000-metre competition.

Mosher's 1,200-metre time was 3:52.83.

"I was hoping to make the podium," Mosher said.

She said there were male runners in both races, which she said she used as motivation to drive harder but still stay on pace.

"I usually have the same race plan when I go to compete," she added. "I settle in and I try to finish strong."

Mosher, the daughter of Suzanne and Mark Mosher, said her parents were beaming after both gold medal finishes.

"She puts a lot of work into her training and it was nice to see everything come together for her," Suzanne said. "We're sort of nervous in the stands but happy to see she is doing what she loves."

Mosher took up track in 2019, considering it a fun goal-setting activity to pursue.

Mosher's indoor season is finished for now and she's turning her attention to her first outside meet of 2022 coming up in May in Dartmouth.

Mosher's Bluenose Athletics coach, Tanya Daniels, credited the athlete for her years of dedication and commitment to the sport.

"She understands that long term focus is most critical as a young runner, and as part of this mindset is also an active multi-sport athlete which she knows is equally important in her long term development," Daniels, who works as a school administrator in the Dominican Republic, said in an email.

"She is very coachable even from abroad which has been challenging for both of us at times to celebrate her success and at times even work through challenges, but her family is very supportive and helpful, this recent performance is an excellent performance to open up what hopefully will be normalcy in returning to athletics for everyone."