by Nathan Timm (2/24/04)

Edmondson already has her automatic mark in the mile run (Kim Spir)

The Big Ten is known for milers. Michigan's pair of Nate Brannen and Nick Willis along with Wisconsin's Chris Solinsky and his crew steal the headlines for the men, while many talented women go unmentioned from the same schools. The latest breakthrough performance in the women's distance scene might just be from Wisconsin senior Hilary Edmondson. Edmondson's 4:36.12 mile performance at the Penn State Invitational this February has grabbed the attention of not only Michigan , but the country as well. Michigan's top miler, Lindsey Gallo, and Edmondson have yet to face each other in a race this season. The Badgers and Wolverines have had similar schedules, but an Edmondson versus Gallo matchup will first take place this weekend at the Big Ten Indoor Champs.

Hilary came off a cross season, where she took 65th at NCAA's for a team, who in her own opinion didn't fulfill their season's potential. Despite favoring the track, she definitely knows the importance of the fall season. “I definitely take it serious, but it's more of team thing. It's most important that our team does well more than myself individually. I'm not that strong as an individual in cross, but it's a big part of the development part of an athlete's season,” said Edmondson of cross. Wisconsin has been a force for years in the Big Ten in cross, but the tradition of success with milers was one of the main attractions for the Canadian to Wisconsin . “He's built such a legendary program. He's been successful with walk-ons and great runners,” said Hilary of Coach Peter Tegen. She picked the Badgers over some of her stiffest middle distance competitors - Michigan , Providence , and Villanova.

Heading into Saturday's showdown at Big Ten's, Edmondson is gearing up to take back her individual title she won as a hotshot freshman out of Ontario . She has excelled at a variety of events, ranging from the 800 to the 3000 during her career as a Badger. “I haven't won since my freshman year, so it would be kind of nice to do that.” But, Edmondson is well aware of Gallo and the Michigan girls. “It's a good rivalry, but when it comes to Big Ten's - we don't like losing to Michigan in the distance events, especially the mile.”

Hilary is an advertising avid senior, but doesn't really need her own public relations director on the track. Her improvement in the mile does enough for her notoriety. She started her running career by dropping the boys in the elementary school mile. Edmondson did that back as a youngster, but she currently stacks up quite well against her own gender.

She rampaged into the mile picture at Penn State where she ran a six-second personal best. “I saw that ( West Virginia 's) Meghan Metcaffe was entered in the race, so we both just chatted beforehand to work together. I lead for the first 1000 and kept up a sub 4:40 pace, and then she dropped the pace down. Then I was able to take the lead with about 250 to go, but with 75 meters to go she passed me on the last straightaway,” said Edmondson of the race, which provided two of the nation's fastest mile times in the country.

She currently ranks #3 in the country behind only Providence 's Kim Smith and Metcalffe with her 4:36 performance. Smith is more likely to try to blister the field in record setting fashion in the 5000 and/or the 3000, while Metcaffe took fourth in the 3000 last season in Fayetteville . The door is wide open for Edmondson among the midst of milers entering the picture.

Edmondson lives for the sport. “Honestly, I guess I truly love everything about running. I learn from it all. Anytime I get hurt, I want to bounce back. I look out at successful runners like Suzy Favor Hamilton , and it makes me think of what I can do,” adds the former Canadian Junior National Champ at 1500 meters.

The passionate runner has found her home in Madison . Madison, being on the water, makes Hilary feel a little more comfortable because it reminds her of Ontario . The beautiful lakefront scenery and trails aren't all the appeal for her. Badger athletics are one of a kind. “I've never seen anything like the enthusiasm for Wisconsin athletics,” says Hilary, who's also an intern for Sports Illustrated on Campus . “Canada is very different when it comes to sports, well besides hockey.”

But, Hilary is a risk taker in life and racing. “I like to go for it. I like to take risks because I don't want to feel like I left anything out there. I'd like to lead, but at the NCAA level, it's hard to do that. Peter (Tegen) is trying to helping me to just relax,” said Edmondson of her racing style.

Edmondson heads to the Big Ten Champs this weekend, and then right around the corner is NCAA indoors, but Hilary is taking her chances a day at a time with a positive outlook. “It's such a short season. Last season, I didn't even make the final. I have to take care of that first, but the race seems wide open. If I could get in the top three, that would be great. It depends, I just want to run a good race and see what I can do,” adds the senior who is looking to end on her best indoor performance yet.

As the temperature in Wisconsin will gradually start increasing, so will the intensity of the outdoor track season. The defending Big Ten champ at 1500, wouldn't mind bettering her 2:06.88 personal best in the 800 outdoors. But, her laughing response to the question of any chance of her running a 5000, and her All-American honors last season, along with her current mile posting - clearly reveal that the mile is where her heart is.