Corona del Mar’s Damon commits to run for Duke

Corona del Mar High standout runner Allison Damon hasn’t done much running lately due to an injury, but her running career will continue on the next level.

Damon said she has verbally committed to Duke University, where the senior plans to compete in cross country and track and field next year.

Never once did Damon think about her career being over after tearing an artery near the back side of her right hip during the CIF State Division III cross country championships in Fresno, where CdM was denied its third championship in a row.

Damon finished in 44th place at 19:31 and was taken to a nearby hospital after the Sea Kings placed fifth, their fourth-straight top-five finish.

When the likes of Duke, Stanford, Princeton and Harvard showed interest throughout the year, Damon figured she’d be running for one of those prestigious schools.

“It was a really hard decision, but I just felt a connection with Duke,” said Damon, who in her sophomore and junior years cracked the top 10 at the state meet. “I went there and I fell in love with the campus and I really like the coach [Norm Ogilvie]. I will do cross country, but my main sport will be track and I’ll run the 800- and 1,500-meter events.

“I’m really excited. I’ll get to start training for track season soon because it will almost be four weeks since I got hurt [on Nov. 24]. I can’t wait to start running again.”

— David Carrillo Peñaloza