Celeste Halliday's Daughter Making a Name for Herself

Celeste Halliday, a former Villanova All-American (both academically and on the track), was part of the Wildcats' national record DMR squad (she ran the 800 leg in 2:04.7 that day) and winner of 3 Penn Relays Championship of America watches, can be proud of the accomplishments of her daughter Sydnee Over. Over is emerging as a top national sprinter after only two years of high school, and will surely be the focus of an intense recruiting battle when it comes time to decide on her college career. Here's a profile from the Hartford Courant.

Windsor's Sydnee Over is Special Sophomore

Stephen Dunn, Hartford Courant

July 08, 2011


SYDNEE OVER, Windsor

CLASS: Sophomore

EVENTS: 400, 800, 4x400 relay

COACH: Ron Wilson

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: When the times were posted she was the fourth fastest time in the country for a high school runner in the 400 twice, once at the Lindy Remigino Invitational (53.97 seconds) and once at the State Open (53.62), but finished second both times to Hillhouse-New Haven's Precious Holmes. … Helped her 4x400 team set a State Open record (3:49.59) and also helped the 4x800 team win a State Open title. … Won the 400 and ran on the winning 4x400 and the 4x800 relays to help Windsor win its second consecutive Class L championship. … Finished fourth in the 400 at the New Balance Outdoor Championships (53.69). … Ran a 2:11.38 in the junior 800 meters at the USATF National Championships but did not qualify for the finals.

OVER SAID: "I think overall, personally, I had a good season. I was proud of the times I ran, even if I couldn't win my State Open medal again. I was proud of our team to come up with another Class L title. We all ran really well this season and competed to the best of our abilities."

WILSON SAID: "I thought she had an outstanding season. If you finished fourth in the nation [with her time of 53.62 in the 400], I don't think you can be disappointed with your season. That's an incredible time."

UP NEXT: Over will take a break from running for a month, but start to focus on cross country at the beginning of August. Would like to try to qualify for the Olympic Trials next year, possibly in the 800.

IN 10 YEARS: "I would love to run professionally."

MISCELLANEOUS: Also runs cross country and plays basketball, which she has played since third grade. … Started running at age 9 and still holds the state Hershey Track Meet record for the 200 meters for 9-10 year olds. …Mother Celeste Halliday-Over was an Olympic alternate in the 800 meters in 1992, a bronze medalist at the Pan Am Games in Cuba and an All-American at Villanova. … Older brother Devin will be playing baseball at UConn. … Enjoys art, especially sculpture.