Morgan Delaney and Benson Davis Win National Titles at the USATF Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships

Runners faced a demanding course and cold and snowy winter conditions as they competed for national cross country titles at this year’s USATF Junior Olympic Championships held on  December 13 in Shelbyville, Indiana. The races showcased endurance, grit, determination, and depth of talent, with many athletes delivering strong performances on the national stage.

This includes Mission Mountain Mercury’s Morgan Delaney, who won the girls’ 17-18 5-kilometer race with a speedy 19:42.2. In a mighty second-place effort was Eleanor Barco, who represented HP Distance in 19:58.0. Just shy of a sub-20 was Evelin Tavares Pires in third place. The unattached runner finished in 20”:08.0.

Overall team winner for the girls’ 5k (15-18 years) HP Distance had solid performances in the girls’ 15-16 5k races, with Lana Bruggeman taking home the title with her 19:50.2 finish. On her heels was teammate Hayden Neagle in 20:30.3. Unattached athlete Adley Damon rounded out the top three in 20:53.3.

While HP Distance ranked up 22 points, Mission Mountain placed second overall with 37 points, and New England Elite Track Club’s 75 points placed them second.

HP Distance A also saw major success, as the team was crowned the champions of the boys 5k 15-18 years division with 29 points. Get Quick club placed second with 39 points, followed by Granite State Flash with 90 points.

Get Quick’s Quaid Berger won the boys 15-165k with an impressive 17:22.5 performance. It was a nail-biting race for the remaining athletes, with Kingston Bayha coming in second with 18:27.1, Tate Knoblauch in third at 18:38.5, Evans Tacy in fourth at 18:43.4, and Carl Russell placing fifth with his 18:44.3 finish.

For the boys 17-18 division, it was CFP Distance’s Benson Davis who won the national title. He crossed the finish line in 17:52.1, followed by Samuel Ulrich in 18:02.7 and Amos Kimble in 18:12.1.