For 32 years, elite cross country runners from around the nation have traveled to Balboa Park in San Diego, CA to participate in an individual national championship. Begun in 1979 and originally sponsored by Kinney, a subsidiary of Woolworth's department stores, the meet was named after Foot Locker (also affiliated with Woolworth's) in 1993. Currently, ten runners advance to the nationals from each of the four regionals: West, South, Midwest, and Northeast. This year, 3 North Carolina runners will represent their state in the national meet: Samantha George (Millbrook, senior) and Alana Hadley (Ardrey Kell, freshman) are in the girls race, while Thomas Graham (Cary Academy, senior) makes a return trip. Mark Blackmon of West Charlotte also qualified, but will not be able to attend the meet. Be sure to read Sammy's updates on her experiences, and check out the national articles being written about this event: