SPRINGFIELD — It was written on her hand during Kickapoo's signing day celebration.
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It would be a school record in the 800-meter, and Allison Bailey has it in mind as she nears the end of her senior year.
Surrounded by classmates and fellow collegiate talent, the trackster was one of 35 signees the school produced this year. Hers was anything but set in stone, despite her obvious talent.
"Usually, the first conversasion (colleges) had with me, I'd go: 'Look, I come with a little extra baggage than the regular runner," she said.
Bailey discovered after her freshman year that her legs are over an inch apart in length, a revelation that stemmed from growing lower body pain.
"My right leg overcompensates a lot, so that puts more pressure on it and I'm more prone to injury and pain. I keep my mileage around 20-25 miles per week. That's been the learning curve over the last couple years; how I can train."
She also wears lifts in her shoes when she runs and simply for walking around every day.
Not quite a case heterochromia iridum, a condition that causes pitcher Max Scherzer’s eyes to be different colors, but the different kicks are obvious once they're pointed out.
After running cross country for three years, the senior stopped this fall to focus solely on her track career. During her college courtship, she was up front about her condition.
"I made them fully aware that, if they didn't want to deal with it, they could back out."
But Tulsa did not back out, giving Bailey the belief they could help her reach her goals.
That's a stretch down the road, however, and there's plenty of unfinished business this postseason.
After placing third at state in the 800 meter last year, she holds the state's best current time in at 2:13.08. That would have beaten the second-place time last spring, and with reigning champion Hannah Long now at Stanford, the door is open for a new queen of the half-mile.
"It's definitely a confidence builder. It gives me motivation to keep that spot for the rest of the season."
She placed fifth in the 400 meter and is still striving to get back to her PR from last season's sectional (56.75). Coming off a win in both events at last week's Ozark Conference meet is a good springboard, given that she ran four events on the day. She also anchored the 1600 and 3200-meter relays, helping the Lady Chiefs secure a team title.
Her main focus right now is keeping healthy with two steps left before her fourth trip to Jefferson City.
"I wanted to be up there in the rankings, but for me it was more about getting the times I needed to get to my goal by the end of the season. I'm right on track with where I need to be."
