All photos courtesy of Don Rich, PA Milesplit
Blake Williams of Northern Durham placed 20th last year at the Foot Locker Championships, but this year was able to capture the final All-American spot, finishing 15th overall. Blake, Scott Morgan of Calvary Baptist, & Thomas Graham of Cary Academy ran much of the way together, just they did at the South Regional just two weeks ago. Scott Morgan ran a very solid race as well, just missing the All-American spots, as he placed 19th in the National race. Thomas Graham rounded out a solid race for the North Carolina threesome, as he placed 20th in the championships. Thomas is just a junior, so he will look to follow in Blake's footsteps next XC season.
Wesley Frazier of Ravenscroft HS (did not run for them during the XC season) ran at her 2nd straight Foot Locker Championships. This year's race didn't go as well for her, but she did get after it once again. Last year she placed 10th overall and this year she was 39th. Nothing can be taken away from Wesley, as qualifying twice for the National Championships and only being a sophomore . . . amazing!
1 Lukas Verzbicas (12) Midwest Carl Sandburg H.S. Orland Hills IL 14:59 2 Futsum Zeinasellassie (11) Midwest North Central H.S. Indianapolis IN 15:10 3 Tony Smoragiewicz (11) Midwest Rapid City Central H.S. Rapid City SD 15:16 4 Andrew Gardner (10) West Mead H.S. Spokane WA 15:18 5 Chris Walden (12) Midwest Carmel H.S. Carmel IN 15:22 6 Billy Orman (12) West Tuba City H.S. Tuba City AZ 15:23 7 Jimmy Clark (12) South Creekside H.S. Jacksonville FL 15:24 8 Eddie Owens (12) Northeast Packer Collegiate Institute Brooklyn NY 15:25 9 Ryan Pickering (12) South John I Leonard H.S. West Palm Beach FL 15:25 10 Chad Noelle (12) Northeast Greene H.S. Greene NY 15:25 11 William Kincaid (12) Midwest Columbine H.S. Littleton CO 15:27 12 James Martin (12) Midwest Carroll H.S. Fort Wayne IN 15:27 13 Jack Driggs (12) Midwest York Community H.S. Elmhurst IL 15:29 14 Ahmed Bile (11) South Annandale H.S. Annandale VA 15:33 15 Blake Williams (12) South Northern Durham H.S. Durham NC 15:35 16 John McGowan (12) Northeast Sidwell Friends School Washington DC 15:37 17 Matt Carpowich (12) West Torrey Pines H.S. San Diego CA 15:38 18 Zach Hebda (12) Northeast North Hills H.S. Pittsburgh PA 15:38 19 Scott Morgan (12) South Calvary Baptist Day School Clemmons NC 15:38
20 Thomas Graham (11) South Cary Academy Cary NC 15:39