My Name is Melanie and to know me is to love me. I am a middle distance runner from Queens, New York and I now reside in Long Beach, California. My passion for Track and Field has taken me all over the US. From New York to Oklahoma to Oregon and now California. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel overseas and compete on the European track circuit and it was an awesome experience.  I am training now getting ready for the 2010 outdoor season.

 Just a quick overview of my background I attended the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I became an NCAA All-American as well as a Mid-West Regional Champion and 3 time Western Athletic Conference Champion. After I graduated from Tulsa I moved to Eugene, Oregon to train under Frank Gagliano also known as Gags. I had never been to Oregon in my life but then Gags gave me the phone call that changed my life. Next thing I knew I was on a one way flight to Eugene, Oregon. I trained with an Elite training group made up of Olympians as well as top Nationally ranked athletes. I had a great experience that I will always reflect on. I learned how much one small town can really appreciate Track and Field and I loved it. After 2008 Olympic Trials I moved to Southern California to continue to train and pursue my dreams. Right now I train with EVO Track Club under Gary Cablayan. I feel that right now I am in the best shape I have ever been in and I am excited for this outdoor season. I have truely come to understand the art of how to train for and race 800 meters. I look at where I am right now and would have never imagined this years ago. I eat, sleep and breath running. I revolve my life around my running and I love it. I look at my life and realize how blessed I am. I have so many people behind me with so much support it makes this seem easy.

Right now I am just living my life the best way I know how and following my heart and it tells me everyday Keep Running!