Hannah Rae Shaffer (Cardinal Gibbons) is ready to toe the line this Saturday in Portland, Oregon for Team XC Nationals. Shaffer qualified as an individual after placing 6th at the 2022 Team Southeast Regional, running a season best of 17:44.00.
"I knew heading into the race that there were going to be a lot of girls around me early on, but knowing this allowed me to stay calm. I wanted to stay focused on my race." Shaffer said.
Now, the sophomore finally gets a chance to race in cross country nationals at the high school level. The 2021 Team Nationals were cancelled, but the Regionals were still held. Shaffer took full advantage of that opportunity, and ran 17:44.90 and took home the win.
"I am thrilled to have an opportunity to race at such an amazing event. It was a tough season because of an injury. I was hopeful, but not certain that I would even be able to race."
Shaffer is joined In Oregon by fellow #TeamNC athletes Gabriel Schmid and the Cuthbertson girls varsity squad.
