The longest running high school cross country championship in the country, the 45th FootLocker Cross Country Championships presented by HOKA is now in its 45th year.
The FootLocker was founded in 1979 as the Kinney Cross Country Championships.In its 45th year, FootLocker XC has produced generations of American distance runners, from Bob Kennedy and Susie Fayor Hamilton to Julia Stamps and Grant Fisher, from Meb Keflezighi to Jordan Hassay and Molly. Seidel.
This is the edition of the 2024 FootLocker XC Champs, held in near-perfect conditions at Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif. Runnerspace provided free streaming coverage thanks to HOKA’s sponsorship for two years. sponsors this symbolic event.
Elizabeth Leachman and Tamrat Gavenas take first place at the National Finals of the 45th Foot Locker Cross Country Championship presented by HOKA®
SAN DIEGO, CA (December 14, 2024) – Elizabeth Leachman San Antonio, Texas and Tamrat Gavenas From Andover, MA, capture first place titles The Foot Locker Cross Country Championships National Finals is presented by HOKA® today. The prestigious event is the nation’s longest-running high school championship, now celebrating an unprecedented 45 years.th the year. Conditions at the historic Morley Field racetrack in San Diego’s Balboa Park were ideal with mostly firm ground, sunshine and a temperature of 58 degrees.
In the girls’ 5K race, Leachman took the lead with less than two miles to go and cruised to a comfortable victory in 17:31.1. He is also the first athlete from the state of Texas to ever repeat as champion in the boys’ 5K race Gavenas, a three-time national finalist at Foot Locker, pulled away from the rest of his competitors on the final big climb and went on to win in 15.23.9.He is also the first three-time national qualifier from the state of Massachusetts.
The national championship course at Balboa Park’s Morley Field is a 1.5-mile loop that covers 5,000 meters twice, with a steep incline just after the mile and 2.5-mile mark. Some twists, turns and varying terrain also feature A championship course in the hills of San Diego.
Foot Locker Cross Country Championships – Girls National Finals.
Senior Zariel Macia (Shirley, N.Y.) made a controlled move from the gun, breaking away from the field and leading the charge with a half-mile time of 2:38.5. Elizabeth Leachman: Leachman’s aggressive outburst saw her overcome to the early pace-setter, just before the field’s second pass, the most prominent challenge on the San Diego course. From there, it was all Leachman’s turn, as she cruised to the finish line in 17:31.1. Midland, MI) finished strong, placing second in 17:39.9. Macchia, a four-time Foot Locker national finalist, dropped to fifth before rallying to finish third in 17:49.6 Rounding out the top five were sophomore Ruby Ihmels (Bismarck, ND) in 17:50, 5 and fifth place junior Libby Doughty (Morgantown, IN) in 17:55.9. The winner’s quote is below. Click here for full girls results.
Foot Locker Country National Championship – Boys National Finals.
The race was closely contested in its early stages, with nine national finalists moving within a second of each other and 20 within three seconds of the lead by the halfway mark, at which point the pairing of senior Sam Quagliaroli (Fishers, Ind.) and senior Tamrat Gavenas took off. to switch pace-setting duties when early race leader Ben Crane (Wilmette, IL) relinquished the lead. Crane posted 2:23.2 splits
at the half mile and 4:48.4 mile before passing the duo of Quagliaroli and Gavenas.
The middle section of the race turned into a “Sam and Tam” show as side-by-side Gavenas and Quagliaroli clocked identical two-mile splits in 9:59.7. on and essentially doing another coronation to the finish line with the winning time 15:23.9: Although Quagliaroli faded somewhat, he still held on for a solid fourth place in 15:35.0.The race runner-up was senior Juan Gonzalez (Fremont, NE), who made a late charge to finish within four seconds of the champion in 15:27.4. : Senior Jack Grafeo (Westford, MA) rounded out the top three. who just slipped past Quagliaroli as they neared the finish line while posting a time of 15:34.5 Senior Keegan Smith (Kingston, TN) finished in 15:41.6 Winner’s quote below: For full boys results click here.
For more information visit www.Footlockerxc.com
2024 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD Click here for full details on all 80 runners
National Champion Citation, girls winner Elizabeth Leachman of San Antonio, Texas.
“I think the focus was really just to have something left in the second half (of the race). I know that’s where it gets really tough and it’s kind of an unforgiving course … and the opposite of that.” It feels natural to me. When you’re in a crowded field, racing up front isn’t always a good strategy. with a big hill.”
National Champion Citation, boys winner Tamrat Gavenas of Andover, MA.
“It feels pretty good. I got injured in the middle of the season and I wanted to be here. I thought to myself after half a mile. “This is my chance.” I was really nervous, like most competitors are, and I thought as long as I sat there and followed the plan we outlined before the race, I’d be fine I believe in the program. This is my third time coming here and I love the weather in San Diego.”
About Foot Locker, Inc
Foot Locker, Inc. is a leading footwear and apparel retailer that unlocks the “inner sports hat” in all of us.With approximately 2,500 retail stores in 26 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as a franchise presence in In the East and Asia, Foot Locker has a strong history of sneaker reputation, revealing and igniting the power of sneaker culture in its brands through a portfolio including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS and atmos.
About HOKA®
HOKA® is one of the fastest growing footwear and apparel brands in history. Built in the mountains, HOKA shoes provide an unprecedented combination of cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA advances its footwear and apparel innovation and design, teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, tastemakers and everyday athletes.From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its boldness and for an unexpected approach and belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world, HOKA enables the world of athletes to fly across the country.For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly
About Deckers Brands
Deckers Brands is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of innovative footwear, apparel and accessories designed for both everyday use and high performance activities.The company’s brand portfolio includes UGG®, KOOLABURRA®, HOKA®, Teva ® and Sanuk®. Deckers Brands products are sold in select department and specialty stores, company-owned and operated retail stores and through select online stores, including company-owned websites.Deckers Brands has a history of more than 50 years of building niche footwear brands, attracting millions of loyal consumers worldwide.For more information, visit deckers.com:.
