Francis readies for World Youth Champs

By Christopher Hunt

photo Gregg Armstrong

With one quiet finger vaulted skyward, Claudia Francis ran her way into the nation’s elite when she won her first national title in the 800 meters at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. And it’s not that the Cardozo junior to-be wasn’t already one of the recognizable names in scholastic middle-distance running but once she won the 800 at the USATF World Youth Trials July 1 and graduated into the runner that many thought that she would be since she was tearing up the bantam division.

First she outkicked Charlene Lipsey in the last 200 at NON to win in 2:05.47, a four-second personal best. Then she qualified that performance further by punching her ticket to the World Youth Championships by winning at the Trials in 2:05.94. The IAAF World Youth Championships begin Wednesday in Sudtirol, Italy.

“The race went well,” said Andrew Francis, her father and coach of Team Evolution, her club team. “She ran similar to the way she ran in North Carolina.”

Except this time she demanded the lead from Nia Fluker (Genesis 248) on the back straightaway and decided the race before anyone would challenge again. Claudia’s older sister, Phyllis, finished fourth in the race. She also won the 800-meter national title in March at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. It’s the kind of talent that makes you think of Venus and Serena Williams – a ridiculous amount of talent under one roof. But no matter how deep their resumes grow, Coach still keeps order in the house and on the track.

“I bring them back to earth,” he said. “It’s not easy. But I keep them focused.”

Both are quiet athletes, unassuming in demeanor but with unmistakably long, aggressive strides on the track. Both seem tireless and with deceptive speed. Phyllis found her niche in the 800 meters which is also Claudia best event, though Claudia’s range goes from 400 to 1,500. Where Phyllis had already established herself as one of the premier middle distance runners in the country, Claudia really put her name on the map on the high school circuit during her sophomore campaign this academic year.

“They get the same workouts,” Andrew Francis said. “Last year I was looking for these numbers (from Claudia) actually. If she stays healthy, I’m sure she can get down to the 2:04 range. … Now that she’s starting to pick up the training and even with the more competitive (races) that we’re doing, she’s saying wow, I didn’t feel tired after that. If she’s physically in shape, no one can beat her.”

The heats of the women’s 800 begin Friday. As far as the Francises are concerned, the season just started.

“Right now she can have an excellent season,” Andrew Francis said. “It can definitely be her time.”