Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A TRIP TO RIO AND VICTORY CELEBRATIONS
Chester County scores two medals at 2016 Olympic Games
The eyes of the world were on Rio De Jeneiro and the 2016 Olympic Games in August, as residents of each country hoped they would be successfully represented. Here at home in Chester County, the passion and pride ran especially high as two of its residents came home with medals.
Cierra Runge of Londonderry, a 20-year-old Octorara High School graduate, earned a gold in the women’s 4x100 freestyle swimming, and Phillip Dutton of West Marlborough, at 52 the oldest member of the United States team, earned a bronze in the equestrian eventing,
Runge got the gold because she won the qualifying round in the freestyle race, thus enabling her entire team to take first in the finals.
She began her swimming training at the age of 5 at the Jennersville Y but later moved on to elite swim clubs in Baltimore when she was 10 when it was evident that she was headed for future glory if only she pursued her talent.
YMCA swimming instructor Katie Doochack, who worked
with Runge when she was young, said it was evident even when the swimmer was beginning that she had talent.
“When they have that spark and love the water, you can tell right away. She had that early pizzazz,” she said.
Jennersville Y head Head Swimming Team Coach Mary Alice Miller said Runge still holds at least six swimming records at the Y from when she was 6, 8 and 9 years old.
Runge faced her hometown audience of about 150 kids and parents accompanied by her Jennersville Y coach, Ali Verbanas, in the late afternoon bedside the Y pool after her return. There Runge answered questions from the children and talked about her experiences.
When she was asked how it feels to be in the Olympics, she said, “Really cool.” What about her future? Yes, she will keep training for the 2020 Olympics.
One child asked if the Gold Medal she was wearing had chocolate inside.
“If it did, it would be gone by now,” she said.
Runge said when she was swimming the races she at first felt pressure and excitement, but then just got absorbed in working to win when she hit the water.
She talked about her exhaustive training regime and said she felt elation of standing on the podium, hearing the “Star Spangled Banner” and getting the medal. She said also that she was inspired by other members of her team including veteran Medalist Michael Phelps.
Verbanas, who coached Runge from the start at the Y said, “She was fun to coach. She was the kid who would go all out.”
The staff at the Y was also excited that Runge decided to pay a tribute to her Y with the contribution of items she received — and even used — at the Olympics. The Y raffled them off (including a warm-up jacket she actually wore) and it will go to a scholarship that Runge wanted to establish to support the training of another 5-year-old swimmer who shows promise.
“I’m excited for the scholarship. I’m glad she’s doing that,” Doochack said.
Equestrian Phil Dutton arrived home from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in mid-August with a bronze medal and a smile on his face.
He and his horse Mighty Nice successfully completed the three-part eventing competition, rising from 15th place in the initial phase — dressage — to third place after cross country and show jumping.
Eventing is a three-day competition similar to a gymnastics all-around that involves dressage, cross country and show jumping. It is one of three overall Olympic equestrian contests that include eventing, individual pure dressage and individual show jumping.
This year there were 13 teams competing.
As Dutton describes it, the scores were very close after dressage, making it easier to gain an advantage in the next phase, the cross country. That course was very challenging, he said, but he successfully navigated it, moving up to fifth place.
Then in the final round, he incurred a four-point penalty due to knocking down one rail, but moved into third place as Australia’s Christopher Burton knocked down two.
This is the sixth Olympics for the Australian-born Dutton — his third for the United States. He competed previously in three for Australia where he won two team gold medals.
Dutton downplayed his part in earning the medal because he said Mighty Nice did most of the work.
“The most important thing is for the horse to trust the rider. He is the true athlete,” Dutton said.
Mighty Nice is an Irishbred sport horse who is 12 years old and trains daily. He is owned by Dutton’s wife Evie, along with Annie Jones, Kevin Keane, Caroline Moran and Michael Bomba — the HND Group. In the past he was a reserve horse for the London Olympics.
“He’s big and kind — very sweet and friendly. His stable name in ‘Happy,’” Dutton said.
Mighty Nice was present with his rider at the presentation of the ribbons, as were the other two horses.
Dutton said he rode his horse to the three-tiered podium and his groom, Emma Ford, then dismounted to climb the steps while the groom held the horse. At that point Dutton was presented with the medal.
Dutton, who was accompanied by his wife on the trip, said he enjoyed the whole experience at the Olympics.
“We were treated very well. We were fed well. It was well-done. The Brazilian people worked very hard to make it hospitable,” he said.
He added that there was a lot of media hype about possible environmental dangers or Zika virus, but it wasn’t bad at all. “Just like in the United States, there are places in cities that you don’t want to go,” he said.
Equestrian Boyd Martin of Cochranville and his horse Blackfoot Mystery, owned by the Blackfoot Mystery Syndicate, also competed on the U.S. Eventing Team, finishing 16th.