The running world was doubly blessed when Tara and her twin sister Kara chose running over soccer at Beavercreek HS in Ohio.

 

High School

Tara and her sister Kara were key members of the Beavercreek cross country team that went to the State meet all three years they ran. In 1996, their CC team went undefeated, including winning the Division 1 State Cross Country Championship with an all time low score of 58 points for the state meet. Their team placed 8th in the CC State meet in 1997 and 3rd in 1998. Individually, Tara placed 5th (1996), 4th (1997), and 5th (1998) in the OHSAA State Cross Country meets. Tara still holds the BHS CC school record of 17:58 set at the State meet in Scioto Downs.

 

In track, Tara went to the OHSAA State meet all four years. Her highest placing was 3rd at State her senior year in the 3200m with a time of 10:59 in the scorching heat at Welcome Stadium. In addition to her performances at the Ohio State meet, Tara’s BHS highlights also include: Cross Country… All-Western Ohio League and All-Academic (1996-1998), 3 time WOL CC Champion (1996-1998), member of the team representing Ohio in the prestigious Mid-East Meet of Champions (1998). Track … All-State Ohio (1996-1999) / All-Academic (1996-1999). Her All-Ohio State Track meet performances were: 1600m - 6th and 4x800 - 7th (1996), 1600m - 5th, 3200m - 7th, 4x800 - 8th (1997), 1600m - 5th, 3200m - 5th (1998), 3200m - 3rd (1999). Her 3200m at the 1998 State meet is a BHS school record (10:57).

 

College

Tara continued her success both academically and in running at the University of Dayton. Her freshman year, she was awarded the Rookie Performer of the Year for both CC (1999) and Outdoor Track (2000) in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

 

Other accomplishments for Tara at UD include: A-10 CC All-Conference (1999, 2000, 2002) and All-Academic teams (2000-2002), A-10 Indoor/Outdoor Track All-Conference and All-

Academic teams (2000-2003), A-10 Conference Outdoor Track 10K Champion and 5K runner up (2002). Academic Track All American (2003).

 

Post College

Traveling via running has allowed Tara the opportunity to visit almost every state in the USA, as well as several  countries (Italy, Denmark, Japan, Germany, etc.). Specifically, Tara has enjoyed running in Eugene, OR for the 2008 10K Olympic Trials; in Houston, TX for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials; and in Udine, Italy for the 2007 IAAF World Road Running Championship. At the Italy race, she was part of the USA team with Deena Drossin Kastor, Desiree Davila-Linden, Alicia Shay-Vargo, and Katie McGregor. Even with those world class teammates, Tara was 3rd American. Like her twin sister, Tara also has an impressive list of running accomplishments post college. In addition to those already mentioned, here is a partial list of other races … 2006 USA 10K Championship, 2007 USATF National Club CC Team Championship (1st place), 2007 USA Outdoor Track Championship, 2007 USA 15K, 20K, and half-marathon

Championships, 2008 USA 15K Championship, 2009 USA halfmarathon and 10 Mile championships. Tara placed in top 10 in many of these races.

 

Tara has enjoyed training with Kara post collegiately. She finds it interesting that she and Kara have achieved all their PR’s post college. The PR’s are within seconds of each other but almost never achieved in the same race.