University of Arizona runner Georganne Moline hurdles any condition

LONDON - Sun reflected off Georganne Moline’s silver shoes with every step, sprint and hurdle she took during practice for her first Olympic race Sunday.

Moline, a University of Arizona psychology major and Phoenix native who will race in the 400-meter hurdles, said she is ready for anything, even the London rain.

“I actually thought it was going to rain more,” Moline said. “I was more prepared for rain, but I’m from Arizona so I’m happy with the sunshine. I think I brought the sunshine with me.”

Even if it does rain, Moline has run in Oregon before, so it won’t be a issue.

“Once raining, you don’t even think about it, actually, you just kind of run, so I’ll be fine with whatever happens,” Moline said.

Making the USA Olympic team surprised Moline.

“Six months ago I wouldn’t have imagined myself being here. It wasn’t until my last injury, in January when I pulled my PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), when I really realized I wanted this,” Moline said. “I was willing to work hard to get here, so that’s when everything came together.”

She qualified for the Olympic team with a time of 54.33, her personal best.

“I had to decide if I wanted it, and I wanted it,” Moline said.

Fred Harvey, Moline’s coach at Arizona, made the trip to London to help her.

“I feel like I’m at home,” Moline said. “We’re doing the same type of workouts. It’s definitely nice. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

As a Wildcat, she is the school’s best 400-meter hurdler in years. She finished every race in 2010 under 61 seconds.

Her mother, Carrie, an uncle, an aunt and two friends came to support her as her own personal “little team Georganne.”

“Being here to represent my family, my coach, the United States, the University of Arizona, that’s what motivates me,” Moline said. “Being able to represent everyone, it’s such a great opportunity.”

She has targeted a gold medal but mainly just wants to medal. She was nervous during the Olympic Trials but said nerves won’t be an issue here.

“That was the hardest part, making it to the games,” Moline said. “Now that I’m here, I have nothing to lose. Just go out there, have fun, run fast, what I’ve been doing all year.”