Our team made us SO proud last weekend at the USATF Jr Olympic XC National Championship. 39 athletes from our Pack flew with their families to Louisville, KY and ran 2k, 3k, or 4k against some very tough competition. Click here for the official results.
We started the weekend on Friday morning with a light workout where our athletes ran their course. The course at EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park was fantastic and flat (for us mountain-dwellers). Our athletes were really feeling the steep change in elevation (400ft versus 4500ft where we live!), and it helped motivate them for their races the next day. It was also nice to see no concrete along the course. The athletes who wear spikes were appreciative and there was some lively discussion on which spikes to wear.
Friday evening we met at the team hotel for a team dinner. Coach Rachel Small and Tall picked up catering from Olive Garden and we took over the breakfast dining space at the hotel. It was great for the kids to hang out and show off their very expensive race hoodies. And of course for the parents to mingle.
On Saturday morning, there was a threat of rain later in the day. We had a bit of rain in between a couple of races, but overall it was a perfect day for running. Those of us watching and cheering were a bit chilly, but it was still warmer than at home.
It was nutty watching these races with the sheer volume of athletes competing. I know the numbers were a little higher than last year’s Nationals in College Station, TX. But I wonder if the width of the course was a bit narrower this year too making it feel like there were more kids.
8 & under girls – 267 competitors
8 & under boys – 221 competitors
9/10 girls – 298 competitors
9/10 boys – 363 competitors
11/12 girls – 411 competitors
11/12 boys – 434 competitors
13/14 girls – 367 competitors
13/14 boys – 449 competitors
Almost ALL of our athletes ran a PR! While the course itself was awesome, sharing it with 300-400+ fellow runners proved to be the biggest challenge for our Pack.
12 of our athletes placed in the top 100 in the nation with Trevor D., earning All-American status with his 20th place finish (top 25 = All-American).
A HUGE thank you goes out to our coaches and parents! They are amazing support for our young athletes. Way to go Wolfpack!!
Another thank you to Coach Rachel Tall for kicking athletes out of our Region 11 starting box who didn’t belong.
