Werner Chases Dreams

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

EUGENE, Ore. — Bloomsdale native Taylor Werner had the lead through the 3,000-meter mark at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Monday, June 21.

Werner recorded a time of 9 minutes, 35.07 seconds up until that point, when runners began passing her on the track at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Stadium.

And Werner fell short of her Olympic dream — this time around — finishing in 11th place with a time 15:56.83.

Werner dropped from the lead to fifth place at the 3,400-meter mark. She was 13th for a short stretch before ultimately finishing where she did.

“We are definitely proud of Taylor indeed,” said former Ste. Genevieve High School cross country coach Dr. John Boyd, who has been training with Werner from time to time.

“She has had a fantastic running career thus far, and will continue to build upon it,” Boyd added.

Residents throughout Ste. Genevieve County turned on their television sets or watched with their mobile devices to see Werner run. She has been competing for Puma since January, training in North Carolina and here in the Ste. Genevieve County.

Werner may not have qualified for the Olympics, but she left an impression on all her fans throughout the area.

A simple post on the Ste. Genevieve Herald’s Facebook page generated 48 comments, 15 shares and 349 likes or loves.

“Congratulations,” said Emma Pinkley on our page. “I am so proud of you, young lady. You did awesome.”

Werner also received accolades from others, including

Ste. Genevieve Parks and Recreation Board member Barbara Basler-Peterson.