Foot Locker Cross Country Championships

The Eastbay-Foot Locker Cross Country Championships are a series of annual cross country running races held in various regions of the United States to determine the premier cross country runner in various age groups, but mainly serves to find the best prep (high school) cross country athlete in the country. The event began in 1979 by the F. W. Woolworth Company, which initially branded it as the Kinney Cross Country Championships, (for the Kinney Shoes division) at Morley Field Sports Complex in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, before Woolworth rebranded the event in 1993 to the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships for Woolworth's sporting goods company. For most people associated with the sport, the name was just shortened to Foot Locker or even abbreviated in agate results as FL (the ticker symbol of the company today). In 2021 the event was rebranded again as the Eastbay Cross Country Championships after the Foot Locker owned company. The event is the longest-running national cross country race for high school students.^[1]

Regional championships

Annually there are a total of four regional championship races (usually in late November), that lead up to the national championship in San Diego in December.

Northeast Regional

The Northeast Region comprises most of the states in New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont) plus Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.^[2] After being held at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York for its first 30 years, in 2009 it moved to Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Long Island, before moving back to Van Cortlandt Park in 2012.

Midwest Regional

The Midwest Region comprises the heartland states and is by far the largest region in the FLCCC series, which has states including: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Michigan. This event is held at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside yearly.

South Regional

The South Region is made up of states in the southern and southeastern United States including: Florida, Texas, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Louisiana. The South Region event is held annually at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.

West Regional

The West Region is considered by many to be the most potent region with the most runners appearing in the national championship. States included in the west: California, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Wyoming, and Overseas Military. This regional race is generally conducted at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California and is generally a week later than the other three regional races.

National Championship

The Foot Locker National Cross Country Championship is held annually in San Diego's Balboa Park (though it has been held in Orlando, Florida on seven occasions), just as it started in 1979. A total of 40 elite cross country runners race 5 kilometers (3.1 mi), for superiority in both individual and regional standings. The top ten runners from each region are invited to the national championship in San Diego, with each region also sending two alternates. From 1981–2004, the race had 32 runners, with each region sending eight. In 1979–1980, there were 35 runners from five regions.

Race divisions

The number of divisions vastly differs on the region, however there are races set aside for specific age groups and one or two open events sponsored by Nike for athletes not in high school (parents, fans, supporters) to compete in.

Common regional divisions

• Seeded Girls
• Seeded Boys
• Freshman Girls
• Freshman Boys
• Sophomore Girls
• Sophomore Boys
• Junior Girls
• Junior Boys
• Senior Girls
• Senior Boys

Additional regional divisions

The West Regional contains the following additional divisions:

• 7th and 8th grade

The South Regional contains the following additional divisions:

• Nike Masters for both men and women
• Ages 10 and under
• Ages 11 and 12
• Ages 13 and 14

Courses

The Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, then referred to as the Kinney Cross Country Championships started off as a small event in San Diego, California in 1979. The races moved to Orlando for the 1981 and 1982 national championships, but quickly was moved back to Balboa Park in San Diego in 1983. Additional races run in Orlando were held in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Orlando, Florida

The Orlando course was extremely flat, but deceivingly slow in terms of runners' times. Patches of grass and sand were scattered throughout the flat, 5,000m course.

All-Time Orlando Kinney/FL Cross Country Championships Record—Boys: Dathan Ritzenhein, 14:29, 1999

All-Time Orlando Kinney/FL Cross Country Championships Record—Girls: Amber Trotter, 16:24, 2001

San Diego, California

Balboa Park in San Diego has served as the most frequent venue for the national championships. The course is winded in a figure-8 fashion through the Morley Field portion of the nearly 5 km² (1.9 sq mi) park. There is no shortage of hills and mounds, which makes this course the definitive cross country course. (Although the San Diego venue has always been Balboa Park, the Championships in 1979 and 1980 were run on a course other than Morley Field—a course on the western edge of Balboa Park.)

All-Time Balboa Park San Diego/CA Cross Country Championships Record—Boys: Reuben Reina, 14:36, 1985

All-Time Balboa Park San Diego/CA Cross Country Championships Record—Girls: Melody Fairchild, 16:39, 1990

Past results

In addition to a national champion being crowned in each gender division, the top 15 finishers in each gender division receive All-American honors and an overall team champion is declared based on which region had won the meet.

Footlocker National Champions
	Boys						Girls
Year	Athlete	Time	Grade	Region	State	Video	Athlete	Time	Grade	Region	State	Video	Course
2023	Drew Griffith	15:06.9	12	Northeast	PA	Video on YouTube	Elizabeth Leachman	16:50.7	10	South	TX	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2022	Kole Mathison	14:56.6	12	Midwest	IN	Video on YouTube	Karrie Baloga	16:49.2	12	Northeast	NY	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2021	Riley Hough	15:11.4	12	Midwest	MI	Video on YouTube	Natalie Cook	17:15.0	12	South	TX	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2019	Josh Methner	15:08.8	12	Midwest	IL	Video on YouTube	Zofia Dudek	16:45.0	12	Midwest	MI	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2018	Cole Hocker	15:13.7	12	Midwest	IN	Video on YouTube	Sydney Masciarelli	17:00.3	10	Northeast	CT	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2017	Dylan Jacobs[3]	15:19	12	Midwest	IL	Video on YouTube	Claudia Lane[4]	17:03	11	West	CA	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2016	Reed Brown[5]	15:01	12	South	TX	Video on YouTube	Claudia Lane[6]	17:04	10	West	CA	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2015	Andrew Hunter[7]	14:55	12	South	VA	Video on YouTube	Weini Kelati[8]	17:09	11	South	VA	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2014	Grant Fisher[9]	15:03	12	Midwest	MI	Video on YouTube	Anna Rohrer[10]	17:13	12	Midwest	IN	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2013	Grant Fisher[11]	15:07	11	Midwest	MI	Video on YouTube	Tessa Barrett[12]	17:16	12	Northeast	PA	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2012	Edward Cheserek[13]	14:59	12	Northeast	NJ	Video on YouTube	Anna Rohrer[14]	17:25	10	Midwest	IN	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2011	Edward Cheserek[15]	14:52	11	Northeast	NJ	Video on YouTube	Molly Seidel[16]	17:22	12	Midwest	WI	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2010	Lukas Verzbicas[17]	14:59	12	Midwest	IL	Video on YouTube	Aisling Cuffe[18]	16:53	12	Northeast	NY	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2009	Lukas Verzbicas[19]	15:08	11	Midwest	IL	Highlights Video on YouTube	Megan Goethals[20]	17:07	12	Midwest	MI	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2008	Solomon Haile[21]	15:15	12	Northeast	MD	Video on YouTube	Jordan Hasay[22]	17:22	12	West	CA	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2007	Michael Fout[23]	14:50	12	Midwest	IN	Video on YouTube	Ashley Brasovan[24]	17:20	11	South	FL	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2006	Chad Hall[25]	15:20	12	West	CA	Video on YouTube	Kathy Kroeger[26]	17:29	10	South	TN	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2005	AJ Acosta[27]	15:02	12	West	CA		Jordan Hasay[28]	17:05	9	West	CA		San Diego
2004	Kenneth Cormier[29]	15:22	12	West	AZ	Video on YouTube	Aislinn Ryan[30]	17:31	11	Northeast	NY	Video on YouTube	San Diego
2003	Matthew Withrow	14:55	12	Midwest	IL		Katelyn Kaltenbach	17:24	11	Midwest	CO		San Diego
2002	Chris Solinsky[31]	14:41	12	Midwest	WI		Zoe Nelson[32]	17:30	10	West	MT		San Diego
2001	Timothy Moore[33]	14:50	12	Midwest	MI		Amber Trotter[34]	16:24	12	West	CA		Orlando
2000	Dathan Ritzenhein[35]	14:35	12	Midwest	MI		Sara Bei[36]	16:55	12	West	CA		Orlando
1999	Dathan Ritzenhein	14:29	11	Midwest	MI		Victoria Chang	17:05	12	West	HI		Orlando
1998	Jorge Torres	15:17	12	Midwest	IL		Erin Sullivan	17:35	12	Northeast	VT		Orlando
1997	Abdirizak Mohamud	15:22	12	Northeast	MA		Erin Sullivan	17:22	11	Northeast	VT		Orlando
1996	Abdirizak Mohamud	15:21	11	Northeast	MA		Kristen Gordon	17:34	12	West	CA		San Diego
1995	Abdul Alzindani	15:11	12	Midwest	MI		Kim Mortensen	17:12	12	West	CA		San Diego
1994	Matt Downin	14:58	12	Northeast	NH		Julia Stamps	16:41	10	West	CA		San Diego
1993	Adam Goucher	14:41	12	Midwest	CO		Erin Davis	17:11	9	Northeast	NY		San Diego
1992	Brendan Heffernan	15:13	12	Northeast	NJ		Amanda White	17:34	12	Northeast	MD		San Diego
1991	Corey Ihmels	15:03	12	Midwest	ND		Liz Mueller	17:21	11	Northeast	CT		San Diego
1990	Louie Quintana	15:07	12	West	CA		Melody Fairchild	16:39	12	Midwest	CO		San Diego
1989	Bryan Dameworth	14:49	12	West	CA		Melody Fairchild	17:05	11	Midwest	CO		San Diego
1988	Brian Grosso	15:03	12	Midwest	MI		Celeste Susnis	17:14	11	Midwest	IN		San Diego
1987	Bob Kennedy	14:59	12	Midwest	OH		Kira Jorgensen	17:08	11	West	CA		San Diego
1986	Marc Davis	14:38	12	West	CA	Video on YouTube	Erin Keogh	16:55	12	South	VA		San Diego
1985	Reuben Reina	14:36	12	South	TX	Video on YouTube	Erin Keogh	16:43	11	South	VA		San Diego
1984	Scott Fry	14:50	12	Midwest	OH		Cathy Schiro	16:48	12	Northeast	NH		San Diego
1983	Matt Giusto	14:54	12	West	CA		Janet Smith	16:43	12	Northeast	NJ		San Diego
1982	Eric Reynolds	14:35	12	West	CA		Christine Curtin	16:58	11	Northeast	NY		Orlando
1981	Charles Alexander	14:51	12	South	VA		Connie Robinson	16:40	12	Midwest	OH		Orlando
1980	Jay Marden	14:53	12	West	CA		Ceci Hopp	17:12	12	Northeast	CT		San Diego
1979	Brent Steiner	15:05	12	Midwest	KS		Ellen Lyons	17:28	12	West	ID		San Diego

Repeat national champions

There have only been a total of six girls and five boys who have repeated as Foot Locker national champions. None have been national champions three times at the Kinney/FL Cross Country Championships.

Boys with two national championships

• Grant Fisher won in 2013 and 2014
• Edward Cheserek won in 2011 and 2012.
• Lukas Verzbicas won in 2009 and 2010.
• Dathan Ritzenhein won in 1999 and 2000.
• Abdirizak Mohamud won in 1996 and 1997.

Girls with two national championships

• Claudia Lane won in 2016 and 2017.
• Anna Rohrer won in 2012 and 2014.
• Jordan Hasay won in 2005 and 2008.
• Erin Sullivan won in 1997 and 1998.
• Melody Fairchild won in 1989 and 1990.
• Erin Keogh won in 1985 and 1986.

Foot Locker Champions to win NCAA titles

There have been a total of sixteen Foot Locker Champions to win NCAA Titles in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, or Outdoor Track and Field, including eleven men and five women.

Footlocker National Champions and NCAA Champions
			NCAA Outdoor					NCAA Indoor
Athlete	Footlocker	NCAA XC	1500	3000	5000	10000	3000SC	Mile	3000	5000	University
Cole Hocker	2018		2021					2021	2021		Oregon
Dylan Jacobs	2017					2022				2023	Notre Dame / Tennessee
Weini Kelati	2015	2019				2019					New Mexico
Grant Fisher	2013, 2014				2017						Stanford
Molly Seidel	2011	2015				2015			2016	2016	Notre Dame[37]
Edward Cheserek	2011, 2012	2013, 2014, 2015			2015	2014, 2015		2015	2014,2016	2014, 2016	Oregon
Jordan Hasay	2005, 2008							2011	2011		Oregon
Chris Solinsky	2002				2006-07				2005-06	2007	Wisconsin
Dathan Ritzenhein	1999, 2000	2003									Colorado
Jorge Torres	1998	2002									Colorado
Adam Goucher	1993	1998			1998				1997-98		Colorado
Melody Fairchild	1989,1990								1996		Oregon
Bob Kennedy	1987	1988, 1992	1990					1991			Indiana
Marc Davis	1986				1989		1992				Arizona
Reuben Reina	1985								1990-91		Arkansas
Matt Giusto	1983				1988						Arizona
Ceci Hopp	1980			1982							Stanford

Alumni

• Jen Rhines
• Deena Kastor (née Drossin)^[38]
• Amy Rudolph
• Milena Glusac
• Dathan Ritzenhein
• Alan Webb
• Ryan Hall
• Alan Culpepper
• Chris Derrick
• Adam Goucher
• Kara Goucher (née Wheeler)
• Jordan Hasay
• Galen Rupp
• Sara Slattery (née Gorton)
• Steve Slattery
• Suzy Favor Hamilton
• Lauren Fleshman
• Chris Solinsky
• Molly Huddle
• Sara Hall (née Bei)
• Cheri Goddard-Kenah
• Meb Keflezighi
• Marc Davis
• Billy Nelson (athlete)
• Steve Taylor (runner)

See also

• California portal

• Gatorade Player of the Year awards § Cross Country
• Champs Sports Bowl (sponsored by a Foot Locker division)

References

1. "Foot Locker and ASICS Continue Running Support". Herald Online. October 18, 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
2. Foot Locker Northeast Region, retrieved Nov. 9, 2009
3. http://footlockercc.com/2017/results/nationals/boys-splits.html
4. http://footlockercc.com/2017/results/nationals/girls-splits.html
5. http://footlockercc.com/2016/results/nationals/BoysChampionship.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
6. http://footlockercc.com/2016/results/nationals/GirlsChampionship.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
7. http://footlockercc.com/2015/results/nationals/BoysChampionship.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
8. http://footlockercc.com/2015/results/nationals/GirlsChampionship.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
9. 2014 Boys Results
10. 2014 Girls Results
11. "xc.com/2013/results/boyschampionship.pdf 2013 Boys Results". Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
12. 2013 Girls Results
13. 2012 Boys Results
14. 2012 Girls Results
15. 2011 Boys Results
16. 2011 Girls Results
17. 2010 Boys Results
18. 2010 Girls Results
19. 2009 Boys Results
20. 2009 Girls Results
21. 2008 Boys Results
22. 2008 Girls Results
23. 2007 Boys Results
24. 2007 Girls Results
25. 2006 Boys Results
26. 2006 Girls Results
27. 2005 Boys Results
28. 2005 Girls Results
29. 2004 Boys Results
30. 2004 Girls Results
31. 2002 Boys Results
32. 2002 Girls Results
33. 2001 Boys Results
34. 2001 Girls Results
35. 2000 Boys Results
36. 2000 Girls Results
37. "2015 Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field: Championship". NCAA.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
38. "2015 Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field: Championship". NCAA.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

External links

• Foot Locker Cross Country Championships – Official website
• NCAA Division I Championships (Men)
• NCAA Division I Championships (Women)