Saturday December 13, 2008

Hanover, Virginia - One hundred and three Pacific Association athletes competed at the 2008 USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Nationals in which 2,400+ youth athletes had registered to compete and 1,979 finished.  Pacific Associations participation is 5.2% of the total number of youth participants which are made up of 57 separate USATF associations across the USA. This is by far the lowest number of athletes the Pacific Association has sent to the JO XC Nationals since 1992.  Typically Pacific Association sends about 200 athletes.  No doubt our current economic climate has an impact on this situation.  Although the Pacific Association participation level is lower than in the past, we are way above the average in all categories compared to other associations in 2009.  The Pacific Association had 20% (2 of 10) of the first place individuals, 7.2% (18 of 250) of the individual medalists and 10% (3 of 30) of team medalists.  Anyone who finished in the top 25 was awarded an All-American medal. In 2009 the Pacific Association will be hosting the USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship in Reno.  May we send 100% of all who qualify and may those that qualify perform at their best!