Track North Runner Meets U.S. President
This article refers to the sister of current LU runner, Emma Tallman:
It has been quite a month for Track North distance runner, Kaitlyn Toohey (nee Tallman). In late August, she stood on the lawn of her Mindemoya home, taking her wedding vows. This Monday, she stood on the White House lawn, shaking hands with U.S. president, Barack Obama.
Toohey, a member of Villanova University's 2009 NCAA champion women's cross-country running team, was invited to the White House to participate in a reception for the all of the nation's collegiate championship teams.
With 650 athletes in attendance, face-time was minimal, but Toohey was able to get close enough to the president to shake his hand.
"I had to fight my way through the crowd and be especially careful since I was standing beside a football player with his arm in a sling, but Obama shook my hand and said, "Nice to meet you." He also told the football player beside me to take care of his arm. I am thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it was a special honour for our team, and the other championship winning teams, to be recognized by the president of the United States,"" said Toohey of her presidential encounter.
Toohey, now a Villanova graduate, is currently in the Occupational Therapy program at McMaster University, in Hamilton.
Photo attached: Kaitlyn Toohey - 3rd from Left.
