TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Under cloudy skies and muddy conditions, 22 national champions emerged out of over 3,300 participants in age groups ranging from 7-18 at the 2017 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, held Saturday at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.
On demand video of races and interviews are available here at USATF.tv+.
Micah Neal kicked off the competition with a dominating Girls’ 7-8 2 km. Neal broke away from the pack to establish a confident lead heading into the finish, clocking in at 7:46.1. On the boys’ side, Austin Carlile became the first of his siblings to become an All-American when he won the boys’ 7-8 race in 7:17.7. Sister Addison and brothers Connor and Jackson also competed Saturday and finished 9th, 11th and 10th in their races, respectively.
In the Girls’ 9-10 race, Brianna Lindo clinched victory by just 1 second over the next finisher, while the Boys’ winner Daniel Skandera enjoyed a nearly five-second lead ahead of the competition.
Lauren Ping, whose sister Grace took top honors in the 13-14 Girls 4 km last year, dominated her way through the Girls’ 11-12 course to place first in 10:46.4. Similarly, Zack Gilbertson maintained a small but steady lead in the boys’ race to clinch the win with a finishing time of 9:27.5.
The largest margin of victory at JOXC came from Erik Le Roux, who held a more than ten-second lead over his closest competition in the boys’ 13-14 4 km. On the girls’ side, Ella Borsheim pushed herself to an impressive PR of 13:52.6.
Mary Heinen wrapped up the women’s races with a 18:29.32 win in the 15-18 5 km. On the men’s side, Kevin Ramos of So Cal Road Runners smashed through the competition in the final race of the day. Ramos, who came in second last year, finished 10 seconds ahead of runner-up in 15:32.30 to earn the national championship title.
A full list of winners is below. For the full results, please visit the following link here.
USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
8 & Under Girls 2 km
Micah Neal – 7:46.1
8 & Under Boys 2 km
Austin Carlile – 7:17.7
9-10 Girls 3 km
Brianna Lindo – 10:47.1
9-10 Boys 3 km
Daniel Skandera – 10:01.5
11-12 Girls 3 km
Lauren Ping – 10:46.4
11-12 Boys 3 km
Zack Gilbertson – 09:27.5
13-14 Girls 4 km
Ella Borsheim – 13:52.6
13-14 Boys 4 km
Erik Le Roux – 12:16.4
15-16 Girls 5 km
Mary Heinen – 18:29.32
15-16 Boys 5 km
Kevin Ramos – 15:32.30
17-18 Girls 5 km
Jasmine He – 18:47.80
17-18 Boys 5 km
Austin Mathews – 15:40.92
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This article first appeared on USATF, one of Youth1's sources for Track articles. To submit your site for consideration for Youth1 syndication, please email Laura Petrillo at [email protected].