Parker Valby Could Still Go To Paris After 4th Place Finish In 5000m Olympic Trials Final

[@haircutexperience]

She Prefontained that race! "One person made the the race, another person won it" You can't take anything away from her for that gutsy effort! Onwards and upwards! A bright future ahead of her

[@viceroygunrey4037]

She looks a bit like Monica Potter from Without Limits haha. I'm so excited to follow her career

[@AKking530]

Oh please. She went too fast and died. Terrible strategy. Focus on Ellie who set a trials record.

[@younghegelian1]

@@AKking530 she went out fast and mostly held. the other women outkicks her 11 times out of 10. 4th was her max result and now she also has the standard.

[@haircutexperience]

@@viceroygunrey4037 haha, now that you mention it she does look very similar :D

[@haircutexperience]

@@AKking530 Oh please! Did you watch the same race? After a slow first 200m parker took lead and control of the race. The 3 that finished in front of her had Olympic qualifiers, therefore only needed to outkick the field in a slow race. Take out Parker and Ellie doesn't get the record and wins in 15:20-30ish? Plus the fact that Parker has raced over twice as much against seasoned pros on tired legs. Wait till next season and it'll be a whole different story! And she didn't die. She ran a freakin' PB lifetime best with even splits! You can't ask for much more than what she gave!

[@jonb9194]

There is one PB in the results, and that's Parker. Very intelligent racing in both the qualifier and finals, a credit to herself and her coaches. Positive Parker in the interviews, a credit to herself and everyone around her.

[@AKking530]

And Ellie set a trials record. You people are flooding Velby’s interviews because you’re sips. Focus on the champions who is getting zero attention.

[@jefffawcett]

I ran track and I’ve been following track for 50 years and it’s always painful listening to post race questions because the fact of the matter is, it’s not like a football game where there’s all kinds of strategy and decisions to be made. You can run a great race, put yourself in the perfect position, but you’re not at the point in your career where you are capable of doing the time required to win. There’s just no questions that can be asked that will give any insights. She’s the most promising American distance runner in decades, and the ONE with the upside of being able to compete with the Africans. 4th in the 5k in the Olympic trials at 21 is amazing. When Elle St Pierre was 21 and competing at the US Olympic trials she came in 28th in the Steeplechase. Her best 5k time at age 24 was 14:58. Parker running a 14:51 at 21 is fantastic

[@bernardmartin-x6p]

She is the future.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

She's outstanding. Hard to say she's the most promising in decades though. The US has had HS girls running 1:58 800s and the girls HS mile record has been crushed this season. While he didn't live up to expectations, there was a lot more hype around Alan Webb. And now we have Hobbs Kessler who definitely made the team and is a bit younger than Parker is.

[@jefffawcett]

@@veganpotterthevegan I’m talking specifically women. The US has a history of high school star women burning out. And there is no high school girl in the United States running a 1:58 800 m, where are you getting that? No one has broken 2:03 this year. The all-time high school 800 m record is 1:59 by Juliet Whitaker, and it wasn’t in a high school race.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@jefffawcett she still isn't. That's ok. Well...1:59 and 2 girls did it 2yrs ago. They're still young and one had issues with injuries just like Parker. Sadie Engelhardt's mile at 17 is most definitely more impressive than Parker's 5k today. As for burnout, it's not like American runners in their early 20s don't get burned out too

[@simonsnow9865]

Parker is far ahead of these women at her age.

[@Stacie45]

Running a personal best after going through qualifying rounds is nothing to be disappointed about. She is a warrior, this one has a bright future.

[@AKking530]

Focus should be on Ellie. She went through the qualifying rounds and set a trials record.

[@spencerj6557]

Bright but short future. Will have two Olympic chances realistically to be fast enough to win a medal in the 5k/10k. Age 25 and age 29. Bright future but like any Olympian short

[@Stacie45]

@@spencerj6557 I made my teams at age 30 and 34.

[@spencerj6557]

@@Stacie45 how many medals?

[@Stacie45]

@@spencerj6557 None, I did pretty crap both times...32nd place in Barcelona and a DQ in Atlanta. I had my good days at the Trials, unfortunately.

[@anthonypayne2526]

She did exactly what she should have done to put herself in the right position to have a chance at the team. She just met up with three of the best tonight. She’ll keep getting better and hopefully we’ll see her on many teams to come. Goooooo Gators!!!🐊

[@blainenewton7188]

That's exactly the right way to look at it. She did what she had to do. The strength will come for Parker, assuming she can stay healthy.

[@spencerj6557]

Many Olympic teams?? She’s only gonna have two Olympic Games chances at top speed, at age 25 and 29. That’s not “many team to come”

[@anthonypayne2526]

@@spencerj6557 there are more national teams than Olympics. Track and Field world outdoor championships is held every odd year, and world indoor championships are held every other year in even years. Thats many opportune many teams

[@spencerj6557]

@@anthonypayne2526 not the same as the Olympic glory

[@Leigh_Redman]

"How badly did you want to make the team" Like, for real bro?

[@spencerj6557]

4th place badly

[@matthewsaxman1028]

It's a predictable question. Of course, we know the answer. But it's TV - we want to see her EXPRESS how much she wants it, win or lose.

[@FloydRigby]

Parker is so much more than a runner. She is so intelligent and charming to listen to. You can sense she will be successful in far more than athletics. I will follow her with great pride and hope. As an older man who loved running, I consider her a true hero to my grandkids.

[@wlamb9]

She’s better than the pros were at the same age. Will be fun to watch her progress as a pro and see what she can do. Sky’s the limit.

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

^^ this oconnor character is a weirdo. Cutting and pasting the same reply over and over.

[@wicker2606]

I love watching this great lady run. Go Parker!👍

[@JohnMcIlroyTax]

same

[@acct5910]

Parker vs journo’s dumb questions is always entertaining

[@andrewmurphy2289]

Nothing wrong with the questions, it's just that Parker is very guarded in her answers.

[@timboonstra1756]

lol, I dunno, she’s the one that volunteered “my coach said to stay short and tall, whatever that means.”

[@mrhypobaric2532]

Come on Parker, make the team in the 10k. 🤞

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

IMO, she has a better chance there. She doesn't have the finishing speed for the 5k, her strength is holding a high pace for the entire race - much more 10k-ish.

[@thomascunningham8234]

She ran with courage.

[@d0ggospottings]

Phenomenal race. Shes so done with stupid questions im obsessed with watching her interviews😂😂

[@wlamb9]

I’m sorry she has to suffer these “journalists” stupid post race questions. But she does so with great grace and humor.

[@jeremiahbrown2468]

That was an amazing race. So emotional. The y all did an outstanding job.

[@billybud9557]

A class act always...................she's young, and will be a champion in many future races....................go Parker!

[@tonyspiegel6771]

There is never any doubt who the best runner in a race is if you lead the race and win. I admire an athelete that has the balls to lead and try to win the race. Running the legs off those sit and kickers is the hardest way to win a race. BTW the race was amazing and the finish was a true battle.

[@RussellMasa]

What an amazing young woman. And to graciously deal with all the dumb questions after finishing fourth, very classy. And she paced them for almost the entire race. Well done.

[@apcook34]

She did great. It would have been a snoozer race without her.

[@Astro2024]

Misleading title. She could go IF she qualifies in the 10k

[@migueldnmtz]

It’s in the interview. She could still go because ESP may not double if she makes the 1500 team. But Valby says she won’t get her hopes up.

[@GrymmGaming]

If Elle makes the 1500 team she MAY give her 5k spot to Valby, if she doesn't want to double. So even IF Parker doesn't qualify in the 10k, she could still go for the 5k.

[@ShesAWillow]

Watching her face after she’s about to answer a stupid question is the best. I love her! Lol

[@JL-ec1by]

I love her. She ran her heart out. It's always great to watch a college athlete turn pro. It's not easy. She's got a bright future!

[@kkouz45]

Awesome race, Parker! Go Gators!

[@stanogrady893]

Just an awesome attitude and talent!! She had a lifetime year!

[@John-wx3zn]

Valby is amazing. Thank you.

[@dv9360]

0.56s under the Olympic standard 👍

[@dv9360]

@@jimoconnor8597 Yep, that's what the decimal means

[@sandraatkins1613]

@@dv9360 🤣

[@lukebarreto2597]

@@jimoconnor8597 tardo

[@GeorgeWebster-lw4qi]

God bless you Parker Valby you are a beautiful and gracious person and one incredible athlete ...hey drink some of that dairy farmer St Piere's fresh cows milk

[@kevinhennessey3189]

She seems a very nice young lady, she ran her best race a personal PR in the olympic trials great job. 4 years to train at altitute and grow.

[@kurtg3891]

i hope she runs the 10k event... i think from how she strategized in the 5k shes got even more potential for racing well in the longer events

[@MJ-kd7dp]

Shes an excellent runner and a beauty... If the money behind the media cares to have her in Paris, shell be there.

[@m.c.7920]

I don’t believe so. I looove Parker but if she didn’t make the trials she should not go to Paris. But this will make it more exciting when she earns her spot in 2028 which I know she will!

[@samj1185]

good for her. great effort. Go USA

[@leonardmilcin7798]

How stupid are those questions. She wanted to run best race possible, pretty much same as every runner ever. Did she want to make the Olympic team? OF COURSE SHE DID. Did she want to meet the standard. OF COURSE SHE DID. People who come to these race are highly driven individuals who obviously want to win. It is DEFINITION of sport.

[@eishi.kajita]

My thoughts exactly! Some of these questions are moronic! Credit to the guy asking who she will go celebrate with though. Parker is a winner in my book.

[@nhoffman393]

A lot of runs and a lot of kilometres in the last six months... Go enjoy your family and get some rest

[@Sutwang]

Her whole thing us that there aren’t a lot of runs

[@KennyCosway]

Smart front running--->We already forgot that Katelyn Tuohy was there.

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

KT isn't at the same level.

[@ricksanchez9232]

It would have been a great experience for her I hope she has a chance to be there as an alternate.

[@JohnMcIlroyTax]

She sounds so chill... but you KNOW that it eats her up to come 4th. Her compete level is through the roof. I wonder if she will run some 1500 races? Just to get a feel for the pace? Her 3 best races at 5K indoor and outdoor all within one second ... that is her limit now... but not for much longer.

[@ColKurtzknew]

Poise and class !

[@AlexRochette]

How could she still make the team? (I don’t understand the title.)

[@TheRasiani]

If any of the 1st three get injured, drop the event, etc. Because she made the Olympic standard, she's eligible.

[@cozyslor]

I don't know her. I only get to see her interviewed. I will preface by saying I'm sure she's a nice person. However, she doesn't come off as the most likable (nor does she have to). She always seems annoyed by the questions and her answers are curt at times. BTW, Jakob the same. Bryson DeChambeau had similar issues until he took back the narrative via his YT channel and is now viewed as an affable chap. Just an observation. Commence throwing tomatoes.

[@kennybob3096]

🍅🏃‍♂️😃

[@younghegelian1]

not respecting journalists is pretty respectable imo

[@runwithyaz]

There’s no point in sending her to Paris. At this point in time she’s not going to come close to the Kenyans, Ethiopians, or Hassan. St. Pierre is America’s best shot and even then it is going to be an uphill battle.

[@younghegelian1]

going to paris and becoming 20th is still being an olympian and immensly respectable. everyone can't win.

[@sreyesp]

this is true in my opinion

[@trongod53]

Why does she keep saying she wasn't running for the standard? Why do I care about Parker Valby, anyway? Can't look away.

[@brianzickefoose]

These reporters have never run a race in their lives 😂

[@chrisdevalcourt648]

Must have got the job because they had a degree in journalism 😂!

[@gilliesuarez]

I wonder how meta the shoe companies are thinking about sponsoring her. On the one hand they sign a great athlete with even more potential, but on the on the other hand she could bring a generation of athletes that mostly cross train and in turn, buy fewer shoes.

[@TD-2011]

Gators!

[@mabotiyn]

By rigging? 🤔🤔🤔

[@atedejong5620]

Max effort, if she keeps on progressing, she will be in the team 5000m in 2028 Olympics.

[@ZATHURAKEY]

If St. Pierre decides to concentrate on the 1500 , Parker gets the slot

[@dv9360]

If St. Pierre doesn't double, would Parker double if she is top three in 10k though. Maybe

[@ZATHURAKEY]

@@jimoconnor8597 it will be a good experience for her to compete in these Olympics . Then in 4 years she will be way more competitive in the international scene

[@ZATHURAKEY]

@@jimoconnor8597 for now but, its about experience for PArker at this moment . I think she has a serious chance to change that in the next 4 years ... she made that 5000m race or it would have been run in 15:30 or slower . She has a relentless attitude and a great aggressive runner .

[@ZATHURAKEY]

@@jimoconnor8597 she will in the next couple of seasons

[@ZATHURAKEY]

@@jimoconnor8597 I think Parker is much more talented Touhy

[@garagesale8003]

She got the OS tho, so if one of the other 3 gets murdered Valby goes to Paris.

[@Gandrewjm]

😳 ...bruh....

[@jeranimo.gaming]

😭😂

[@nt3523]

I've been watching Parker run for years. She came from being in Touhy's shadow to being the best collegiate runner in the nation. She always breaks out and tries to get a big enough lead because, sorry to say, her kick is not there. When Touhy was beating her, she was able to run her down. Just like in this race, there are levels to it and she is there, but her kick just isn't. If she had a kick, she could've won this race.

[@chrisdevalcourt648]

Agreed no kick. No fast twitch muscles. I think the longer the distance or the faster the pace the better she will do.

[@coco_bold]

what would be the point, she is barely doing 14.50, Too bad Monson got hurt, the rest are far behind. And even Monson is far behind the main women in the world.

[@MyContestPix]

Parker ran the same way she runs in college - in front. This isn't college anymore. She got bad advice or she's stubborn as hell. In CC she does the same thing. Frustrating she's not learning tactically how to run. Was 6 seconds from 3rd place. Arghhh! Knowing Ellie has a kick the last 100m she should have paced behind her. Save some energy! Same result from last Thursdays' semi-finals. Don’t know why she thought she could gut it out the last 800m?? You want to be cocky, fine, but don’t be stupid as well! ☹ She got a new PR, but it didn't have to end this way. She still did meet the standard of 14:52 running a 14:51.44. 😂

[@robmackenzie8478]

the standard is 14.52 she got just under that so she did get it

[@MyContestPix]

Yep I forgot to update this post. ☹

[@binkyxz3]

If someone can out-kick you, why would you just pace behind them? The tactic of running faster over the entire distance to run the kick out of the kickers is a bold, but sound strategy.

[@MyContestPix]

@@binkyxz3 Only works for very short (100m-1500m) or very longer distances like marathons for Kenyans/Ethiopians. Doesn't work over intermediate distances. You didn't see Elle or the other 2 runners running in the front until the last 400-800m. Parker tried running in the front last Thursday and it failed miserably so why do it again? Not only that but Elle has run a 14:34 so what makes Parker think she can outlast her at the end??? That's stupidity... This isn't college anymore where you dominate the field. These are seasoned Olympic professionals who know cat and mouse tactics... Only a fool would think they can outlast the pack.

[@binkyxz3]

@@MyContestPix So what is your brilliant strategy other than waiting behind someone who can out-kick you ? Parker is not as mature and strong as the women who beat her, therefore disingenuous criticize "running the kick out" strategy. i disagree it's not effective for 5k.

[@mylifemark2747]

so for a 21 year old college student to run 4th against the best professionals in the US and make the olympic standard in the 5000 meters, i'd say that's amazing.

[@WilliamSoash-p5o]

buddy everyone is doping.

[@ckk8776]

@@icarus8471 is that you taking drug

[@veganpotterthevegan]

She's obviously incredible, but it's not remotely uncommon for a college student/21yr old to get on the Olympic team. There's often a teenager or three to get on the US team in track.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@icarus8471 even the runners coming in last are doping😂

[@ryanjohnson3649]

She is uncommon. She shattered the 5K collegiate record.

[@jeffpicken5057]

“I deleted all my social media. I’ve got to keep my mental health.” Good for you!

[@dqskymagne2762]

She's a talented runner, great sense of humor, diplomatic, smart and beautiful. Nondramatic, composed and cool. Wow.

[@annemasika6059]

She needs to learn to sprint and then she will be a force to reckon

[@chrisdevalcourt648]

Not a sprinter. No fast twitch muscles. As she matures she'll set an even faster pace and those who can kick won't be able to catch her.

[@michaell8722]

Most importantly she ran her race and was satisfied with her performance. Parker, like many up and coming athletes at the trials are the future of US women’s distance running. Her time will come, maybe in the 10,000 or some future race.

[@cortneyoverstreet8130]

Can’t figure out why she keeps leading instead of drafting the whole race, even talked to my former running coach about it. Before the final he said she’ll get run down every time by doing that and sure enough she did. He also said she should be in the 10k and is 2nd in the US for that race. Makes me wonder about her coach.

[@trongod53]

she IS in the 10k

[@thedancechannel2515]

She needed to get the Olympic qualifying time and that was unlikely if she didn't take the pace herself.

[@younghegelian1]

also she has no kick and would get dusted anyway, she did what she could

[@David-hs2jo]

I love that she deleted her social media accounts!

[@jmysterio100]

She may have hit her plateau. She ran 14:52 indoors and didn't improve much on it. With her current training of 25-40 miles per week and using an arc trainer she will not get the aerobic strength she'll need to push into the elite level. These elite women are hitting 90 to 100 miles per week and at a greater intensity. Her training is sufficient against college runners but not much further. And it's tough too because running at higher mileage and intensity increases the risk of injury and staleness.

[@TheRasiani]

Pretty heroic attempt. But I'm sure she learned an intense lesson about actual "racing". She probably needs to work on the flat speed. Most 5000m champions nowadays have some 1500m racing pedigree. You need that extra gear. Despite her heroic attempt, the reality is the 3 who qualified in front of her were all queuing up behind her as a pacemaker - Parker allowed all of them to easily separate from the rest, and then just drop PV when the time was right. I hope she develops that experience. She's a pretty great, brave young athlete.

[@shartattack12]

she had no choice but to set the pace since she didn't have the standard and even winning the trials after a tactical race wouldn't have resulted in going to the olympics

[@TheRasiani]

@@shartattack12 that's very true. She did need to do that. Others had the luxury of having met the standard. I'm just thinking of it in terms of the results of having to do that.

[@mikepuncsak7297]

VERY good run Parker !!! Your gutty performance today reminded me of another front runner-Pre . You surely will have your day in the sun....

[@scrumpymanjack]

"How badly did you want to make this team?" Seriously. What a question!

[@swerne01]

She's the top runner in her age group in the country. Those journalists range anywhere from the top 10% to the bottom 10% of sports journalists in the U.S. And it shows. Lots of dumb questions.

[@davidzuk4894]

Valby has far surpassed Katelyn Tuohy at this point.

[@RazaAli-l4z]

I hope so ….

[@MarqueeMarkVI]

I was rooting for her… she pulled the others along for so long. Sad to see her passed at the end. Great job PV.

[@mikemowett7401]

It’s unbelievable how tough the Olympic standard is in this event the women’s 50000. She’s the best ever. A 5X college champion, and she had to run a PR, essentially a college all time record JUST to meet the standard. Other events don’t have Olympic standards that are nearly this tough. There are multiple times college and high schoolers have managed to qualify in other events.

[@MJ-kd7dp]

She's a dawg, and i mean that in the most complimentary of ways- Admirable competitor. I'd love to see her run that race already having met the Olympic standard... Simply staying on St. Piere's hip and letting the dice roll the last 200 of the race. Maybe she'll get the opportunity in Paris.

[@jaywebber2799]

I would say very impressive! She as the unofficial pace setter was in my view a major player in the new Olympic record being set, as im guessing the pace would not have gone this hard if Valby haden't hammerd it! Way to go girl!!

[@59thfsaviation79]

She needs a media coach. She can own the world if she gets that right.

[@billyboyd1199]

what an amazing woman

[@JackSchitt-p9t]

would

[@JGlennFL]

I didn't get how she could still go to Paris...

[@dv9360]

If Elle St. Pierre chose to focus on 1500m and not do 5000m. Or if Valby is top three in 10,000m.

[@WhisperingPeace]

Parker is a phenomenal runner, who should only continue to improve and get better. It's always tough when you have been so dominant in your collegiate races, and then you go against the best professional runners, and experience defeat. She stuck to her plan, set a fast pace that decimated the field down to four runners, and ran her fastest ever 5k. If I were her coach, I would have made sure I prepared her for the possibility of not winning against those three top performers in this race. I'm sure her coach did that. Also, I would have tried to prepare her for speaking to the press. Have her focus on things like congratulating the winners, talking about what an honor it was to run in the final against the best US runners, how proud she is of her performance, etc. She could have spoke at the beginning about the challenges of dealing with defeat when you have been so dominant, but how that just makes her better and more determined as a runner. Stay positive and upbeat, and never let anyone see you defeated or down. Take a page from how Caitlin Clark is handling the press now. Stay gracious, humble, and compliment others. You know that you are one of the best, but never need to say it. Your fans will always love you, and that mindset will win you even more new fans. Parker, just keep being your beautiful and amazing self. Your future is as bright as the radiant sun. Congratulations on your amazing race, and on the possibility of still making it to the Olympics!

[@WhisperingPeace]

@@jimoconnor8597 Wow, Alicia is epic. I just looked her up. Mindblown. Her 5k personal best is 14:18.45. Thank you for your comment, Jim. Definitely put things into a compelling perspective.

[@bkmason57]

She was DEAD LAST when Mu went down. DEAD LAST. ***And*** she stepped onto the infield. 2 steps on the infield are required for a DQ. She finished 5th, so I don't know what all the whining and moaning is about.

[@andreworford9641]

Parker.valby.showed.no.gears.at.world.class.level.the.african.runners.would.ridicule.her.if.made.the.olympic.games.in.paris.but.a.brave.effort.from.a.student.and.a.pb.could.be.more.to.come.from.her.must.develop.gears.to.be.a.world.class.runner