Nicole DiMercurio has decided to resign from ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE and relocate to Blowing Rock, NC. The University of Georgia graduate joined the post-collegiate, Olympic development group in September of 2014 to pursue her running career. In her 18 months with the program she ran personal bests at 1500 (4:28), 5,000 (16:17), and 10,000 (34:02). She placed second in the open division of the world famous Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, GA and placed 22nd in the USA Women's National 10K Championships in Boston. She also set a new course record at the Maggie Valley Moonlight 8K in August. 

Nicole was the number three finisher on ASICS GTC-ELITE's women's team that placed 8th at the 2015 USA Club Cross Country Championships in San Francisco, where she placed 43rd in a field of over 350 of the nation's top runners. She also explored new distances by running her first 15K, Half Marathon and Marathon. In that Half Marathon, in Jacksonville, FL, she ran an excellent 1:14:37 to qualify for the 2016 USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Los Angeles. 

"While we are disappointed that Nicole has decided to move on, we believe she has even more potential and wish her success as she continues her development in her athletic career," commented program director Mike Caldwell. 

GTC-ELITE produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles and is sponsored by ASICS, the 44-year old Greenville Track Club, Performance Therapy, Greenville Health System's North Greenville Hospital, ScanSource, Soleus Running Watches, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Roll Recovery, The TD Bank Foundation, The Kroc Center, Carolina Spine and Rehab, The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, the Bare Minimum Track Club and generous individual contributors. 

In his first race since the USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Los Angeles last month, Mark Leininger tested his legs and ran to a new personal best for 10,000 meters on the track at the Raleigh Relays. The former American University standout and current member of ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE covered the initial 5K in 14:43 enroute to a final time of 29:28.67  His effort placed him 11th in one of the deepest track 10K fields on the east coast in recent history as he averaged 4:45 per mile pace.

In the women's 10,000, Dylan Hassett ran to a seventh place finish with a fine time of 34:36.79, which is less than 10 seconds off of her personal best. It was also her first competition since the Olympic Trials Marathon. The former College of William & Mary athlete ran with the leaders for the first 6400 meters (passing 5K in 17:17) before slowing ever so slightly. Her final time was a 5:34 per mile pace.

"We are extremely pleased with the performances of both Dylan and Mark in their respective 10Ks," remarked coach Mike Caldwell. "Both athletes ran their first marathon last month, at the Olympic Trials, and we were not sure how they would respond to competition in their first efforts following their recovery cycle. Obviously, they responded very well with very good races tonight."  

GTC-ELITE is sponsored by ASICS, the 44-year old Greenville Track Club, Performance Therapy, Greenville Health System's North Greenville Hospital, ScanSource, Soleus Running Watches, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Roll Recovery, The TD Bank Foundation, The Kroc Center, Carolina Spine and Rehab, The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, the Bare Minimum Track Club and generous individual contributors.

Three members of ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE opened their outdoor track seasons at the 49er Classic hosted by Charlotte University on a beautiful Friday evening in the Queen City.
Former Florida State University and All ACC athlete Chelsi Woodruff started off the evening with a victory in the women's 1500 meter competition in a time of 4:35.53. Chelsi took the lead just before 1,000 meters and never looked back. Teammate Carolyn Watson, running in her first competition since joining the group in January, placed sixth in 4:41.79. Both women ran in the first and fastest of eight sections of the event. The popular meet had over 1500 competitors this year. 

Another ASICS GTC-ELITE newcomer, Kate Dodds, was impressive in winning the women's 5000 meters with a time of 16:52.80. Taking the lead after 2,000 meters, Dodds opened a gap on the field that reached 15 seconds by the end of the race. Her time just bettered her collegiate personal best and the win was her second in only two competitions for her new club. 

GTC-ELITE is sponsored by ASICS, the 44-year old Greenville Track Club, Performance Therapy, Greenville Health System's North Greenville Hospital, ScanSource, Soleus Running Watches, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Roll Recovery, The TD Bank Foundation, The Kroc Center, Carolina Spine and Rehab, The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, the Bare Minimum Track Club and generous individual contributors.