Southlake Runners Earn Top 20 Finish at Nike Event

Portland, Oregon – The seven-member boys’ Southlake team competed against the best runners in the nation at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on Saturday and came away 19^th in the nation.

This is the 11^th year that Nike has hosted this prestigious meet for the top two boys and top two girls teams in each of the eight regions around the country.  Light rain and temperatures in the mid-50’s welcomed the runners to the new course at the Glendover Golf Course, which was filled with hills and plenty of mud.

The boys’ team entered the NXN as the South Region champions and placed 19^th.  Eli Canal captured 85^th place, Reed Brown came in 99^th, Ansel Richards crossed the line next for the Southlake boys in 117^th place, Eric Karl 143^rd, Michael Waugh 152^nd, Johnny Kemps 169^th and Timou Toure 187^th.

“The Nike Cross Nationals meet is the best possible way to end the season or a high school career and we couldn’t be more proud of the boys’ entire season,” coach Justin Leonard said. “Only .0008 percent of high school runners have the opportunity to compete at a meet of this magnitude.  It’s remarkable to think our boys team has qualified 8 times and the girls team has qualified 9 times out of the 11 years of its existence.  It was a great season and I can’t wait until next year.”

Results and video: www.NXN.runnerspace.com