Courtesy USATF
By John Spinelli
WEST LONG BRANCH – If there were a modern-day David vs. Goliath, professional middle-distance runner Allie Wilson would certainly be David in the iconic underdog story.
Wilson, a former Monmouth Hawk, finished first in the 800 meters at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico Feb. 17 with a time of 2:00.63. The second-place finisher was on her heels for the last 50 meters, crossing the line less than a tenth of a second behind Wilson.
“It means everything to me” to win, Wilson said with tears in her eyes in a post-race interview with NBC Sports. “I’ve fought so hard to have a moment like this and it makes it all worth it.”
Before the gun went off, Wilson was not considered a contender for the national title. Unlike her competitors, she was not sponsored by any professional club or agency. She had also never won a national title, been a part of Team USA,nor run in a World Championship.
Only two weeks later she represented Team USA in Glasgow, Scotland, finishing fourth in her preliminary heat at the World Athletics Indoor Championship.
“I’m going to put on our country’s uniform proudly and do my best to go as far” as I can, she said before leaving for Glasgow.
This year Wilson trained on her own with only her coach; she left her previous club due to reasons related to her contract. But those initial setbacks didn’t stop her dream. Now, after her World’s finish, she has her first individual sponsorship contract with Nike.
Currently ranked 15th in the 800-meter by World Athletics, Wilson will have to face some stiff competition to make Team USA again, however this time with better odds. Some of her friendly professional competitors include other well-known New Jersey athletes, like Ajeé Wilson (no relation) from Neptune Township and Olivia Baker from South Orange.
Wilson’s career first began to spark with the Monmouth Hawks under coaches Chris Tarello and Joe Compagni. In 2018, she qualified for the NCAA Championships. One year later, during her Masters in 2019, she became an All-American with a time of 1:59.
Although raised outside of Philadelphia in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, Wilson has deep roots in Monmouth County and sports in her DNA. Her maternal family in Middletown, the Eckerts, were a longtime part of the Mater Dei Prep baseball dynasty, with many generations playing and coaching for the school.
As a West Long Branch resident, Wilson was active with the community by volunteering for the nonprofit Shore Atlantic Club which hosts youth and community athletic programs, among other services.
Wilson now hopes to requalify for Team USA at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, June 21.
The article originally appeared in the March 28 – April 3, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
