2011 NIKE NXN SOUTHEAST RECAP

What a great event in so many ways.  With outstanding weather, competition and meet management in place, success across the board was guaranteed.

First up was the Girls Open 5K which saw Ciera Ulan from Albemarle cruise to victory in a PR 19:24 with the ladies from the Louisville XC Club scoring a perfect 15 for the team victory.

The second race of the day was the Boys Open 5K which was won by QOXC senior Evan Laratta who also guided his team to victory with 104 points.

The Community 5K followed at which point it was time for the Championship races and bids to Nike Cross Nationals in Portland on December 3rd.

The Girls Championship 5K pitted 2 of Delawares all-time greats in a classic match-up once again.  Recent Georgetown commit Haley Pierce from Wilmington XC (Tatnall) took the lead early with Florida commit Julie Macedo (Charter) from The Force XC team in tow, passing the mile in 5:22.  Haley did most of the work leading the race until the final uphill climb at which point Julie took the final lead change and the Regional Championship in a very fast 17:01 to Haley's 17:11.

Wilmington XC Team secured the win with 37 points, 49 points better than runner-up Louisville TC's 86 points but ensuring both teams earned a berth to Nationals next weekend in Portland.

The Boys Championship 5K saw 2010 Foot Locker finalist and Florida 3A State Champion Elliot Clemente open up a sizeable gap by the first mile in 4:28, ultimately missing the course record by 1 second in 14:58.

Solidly behind Elliot was his Miami Magis (Belen Jesuit) team-mates finishing with a total of 88 points (1-8-23-25-31).  Finishing in second and also heading to Portland with 140 points were the guys from Brentwood XC Club.

ATHLETE & COACH INTERVIEWS

PICTURES

RACE FOOTAGE AND FINISHES

CAN BE FOUND HERE