COOPERSTOWN SHOWS
TRUE LOVE TO SARAH
Sarah True’s Olympics Cut Short,
But Cooperstown Still Proud
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – A leg cramp in the middle of the bike portion of the Triathlon ended Sarah True’s last Olympics, but the crowd gathered at the Hard Ball Cafe to cheer her on is still showing their love to Otsego’s Olympian.
“We’re proud of her no matter what,” said Matt Hazzard, executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, who organized the viewing party. “It’s disappointing, but when she comes home, we’ll still cheer.”
True had a strong showing coming out of the swim, in 16th place, and in the first lap of the bike race was leading the US team in 13th place. But by the second lap, she had fallen to 22, then 23 in the third lap.
But a quad cramp struck and she crashed her bike in lap 4. Though she got up to try and finish the race – and cheers rang out across the gathered crowd at the Hard Ball Cafe – moments later, she was limping off to the sidelines.
“It’s sad,” said Kristin Ratliff, a recent CCS graduate.
“I feel so bad for her,” said Barb Knapp, a nurse who works at Bassett Hospital with True’s father, Dr. Gerald Groff. “She worked so hard, and one cramp, one fall and she’s out. But we’re here to support her. She did a great job.”
“We’re still proud of her no matter what!” said Kristin Stevens.