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Records falling as Swede runs to state finalsBy JAMAL THALJI © St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2001 LAND O'LAKES -- Ask Christina Hansen what it is about the United States she loves so much and the Swedish exchange student doesn't know quite what to say. "That's a hard one," Hansen said "The whole experience has been fun for me." It's certainly not the language barrier that holds her back. Rather, it is that there is no one thing, no single experience in her months as a senior at Land O'Lakes High School that she can point to and say "I loved that." She loves everything about her temporary home. Clearwater Beach, especially. The weather. The people. The new things she's experienced. Even the fast food. There's something else she's learned to love: competition. In the 400-meters this season, the Gators' newest runner is learning she can compete with her American competitors. The 18-year-old is rewriting the school's record books with each meet, shaving seconds off her time as she works toward her ultimate goal. "I want to go to state," she said. "That's what I want to do." Hansen's path to state began in her home, the Swedish village Stora Mellby near Gothenburg, from where she left to cross the Atlantic Ocean. "I was just looking for something different," she said. "A new land, a new culture, and to run track in high school." Hansen is no stranger to the sport, having practiced with her AIF Track Club back home. But she has never competed. Not until Gators coach Rock Ridgeway lined her up in her first 400 race last month. She immediately took to the competition. "I just think it's her athletic ability," Ridgeway said. "She has long, good strides, a gigantic stride, and she runs really well. But to me the most important thing is her desire to make herself better and to work hard." In Sweden, athletes compete on clubs, not for their high schools. Hansen said she prefers the U.S. model, where athletes compete for schools. She said it has helped her meet people and make friends. "It was hard to meet anybody," she said. "But it's getting better since I've been running track. ... "Here it's like everybody knows you. It's nicer." In Sweden, she ran the 100. In the States, the 400 has emerged as her best race. "It's actually very hard," she said. "But I enjoy it, I love doing it." At first Hansen admitted she was a bit hesitant, perhaps a bit intimidated, by her competition. "I guess I thought they were so much better than I am," she said. But Hansen is improving with each stride. Her most recent school record is 61.49-seconds, set while winning her event at the Chasco Invitational earlier this month, bettering her old records of 62.8 and 62.7. Her split in the 4x400 relay is 59.85, and Ridgeway sees plenty of room for improvement. "I think she might be able to reach at least 60 if not less," he said. "I would think it would be a state time. It's definitely a regional time for sure, without a doubt." Hansen is looking to the future with a mixture of excitement and dread. The closer she gets to the state meet, the closer she is to returning to Sweden. "It's too bad I have to go back," she said. "Now I feel like staying."
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