INDIANAPOLIS---Boardman native Michael Mannozzi (Erskine Ave.) has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the 40k Race Walk Championships held Sun., Oct. 13 at Joe Palaia Park, Ocean Township, New Jersey..
      “I went into this race with a plan of negative splitting, as my coach, Michael Rohl, and I planned in the weeks prior preparing for the race,” said Mannozzi. “I had executed a similar plan en route to winning the 30k national title last month. Both races were used to help me develop and race effectively for an optimal performance for the upcoming USA 50k National Championships next month in Coconut Creek, Fla.”
      Mannozzi led the men’s field over the distance (24.8-mile) route with a clocking of three hours, 28 minutes and 49 seconds.
      This was Michael Mannozzi’s third consecutive 40k national title and his 10th career national title. He took the lead at the 18k mark and never looked back.
      His next race will be the USA 30k national championships in Nyack, New York on Sun., Oct. 25 where he will be toeing the line with Olympians from three nations.
      PICTURED: Shore AC teammates Michael Mannozzi (3:31:05) and Susan Randall (3:59:21) cruised to decisive victories in the 77th annual USATF National 40-Kilometer Racewalking Championship held at Joe Palaia Park, New Jersey. For Mannozzi, it was his third straight 40K crown and 10th national title. For Randall, it was her first national walk victory.