Results
SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Three freshman runners from the University of Portland participated in the USA Junior National Cross Country Championships held on February 5, in San Diego, California. David Perry finished 8
th overall followed by Chris Borg (33
rd) and Connor Whan (53
rd). With his 8
th place finish, Perry qualifies to represent Team USA at the NACAC Championships in Trinidad & Tobago on February 19 and becomes an alternate for the World Junior Championships in Spain on March 20.
All three runners redshirted the 2010 cross country season for Head Coach Rob Conner and the University of Portland.
Perry finished the 8k course in 25:23 which was good for 8th overall. A freshman from Longmont, Colo., he was the 4A Colorado State champion in the 2-mile in 2010 to cap off his high school career.
Borg completed the race in 26:22 which was good for 33rd. A freshman from Gig Harbor, Wash., he was First Team All-State in high school and is the state record holder in the 1600 and 3200.
Whan finished in 27:04 which was good for 53rd. A freshman from Burlington, Wash., he was a two-time State Champion for cross country in high school and is the state record holder in the 5k.
“David had a tremendous race. Keep in mind, he was only 24th in the Footlocker Midwest regional so finishing 8th at the US Junior Nationals is frankly amazing,” Conner said. “All three of our guys were running with sickness so they did a nice job. I was very happy with the effort and this experience will be the foundation for great things to come.”