There was no magic to the creation of the first, and still only true national championship in high school sports. But over the years, the meet has created a bit of magic on its own – from launching professional running careers, to introducing future couples, to creating one of the more exclusive clubs in sports – that of the Foot Locker Finalist.

"This meet kind of marks you as a leader, and someone who can make a difference down the road" says Foot Locker Vice President of Brand Marketing, Jeanine Zocks. "It's like a club, a badge and an honor that says you have what it takes to influence others in a positive way."

The MileSplit Network's Don Rich sat down with Foot Locker VP of Brand Marketing, Jeanine Zocks, for an interview on the past, present, and future of Foot Locker Nationals.

There was no magic to the creation of the first, and still only true national championship in high school sports. But over the years, the meet has created a bit of magic on its own – from launching professional running careers, to introducing future couples, to creating one of the more exclusive clubs in sports – that of the Foot Locker Finalist.

The MileSplit Network's Don Rich sat down with Foot Locker VP of Brand Marketing, Jeanine Zocks, for an interview on the past, present, and future of Foot Locker Nationals. Read on for more...

PIAA District 3 Cross Country Chairman Hal Griffiths says that there may be some changes in the the timing of the 2008 District 3 cross country championships.

This is the big weekend for athletes and teams from Pennsylvania hoping to advance to Foot Locker Nationals December 8th in San Diego, and to Nike Team Nationals on December 1st in Portland, Oregon. There are two returning Foot Locker finalists, and a few girls who have been close, and this year have a great chance of advancing. And in the first year of the regional race for Nike Team Nationals, the top two PA boys teams and top-ranked girls team are aiming for the 4th NTN. As always, our previews are merely a guide, and NOT predictions. Our sister site ArmoryTrack.com of the MileSplit Network will be providing complete coverage of the NTN regional at Wappinger Falls, NY, while the PennTrackXC.com team will cover the Foot Locker regional at Van Cortlandt Park in da Bronx.

Sure, they're thankful because they have been blessed with talent, and a work ethic second to none. 

And they're thankful they have finally made their college selections this past week  – Krais to UCLA and Price to Tennessee.

They're thankful they have teammates and coaches who have supported them during their decision-making process - to the point in one case of doing research on schools way above and beyond what you'd expect.

What was eminently apparent during conversations with these remarkable young women on the day they announced one of the most important decisions of their lives was – they are both blessed and thankful for parents who gave them the room to make the choices that are best for them.

In two of the more anticipated college selections in the great PA class of 2008, Methacton senior Ryann Krais has given a verbal commitment to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), while Easton's Chanelle Price has given a verbal to the University of Tennessee.

Krais, the holder of state and national records in the hurdles and heptathlon, will join former PA star Nicole Leach in a program renowned for their coaching, especially in the hurdles and multis. The short list of schools Krais had considered also included Stanford, Virginia Tech, Texas and South Carolina.

Price, who has the 3rd best-ever prep 800, and who made the finals of the US Championships this past summer, selected Tennessee, also because of coaching. Head coach J.J. Clark is married to five-time Olympian Jeryl, and is the brother and coach of four-time Olympian Joetta, and two-time Olympian Hazel. His spouse holds the U.S. record in the 800. Price's final list also included UCLA, along with USC and the University of Michigan.

In two of the more anticipated college selections in the great PA class of 2008, Methacton senior Ryann Krais has given a verbal commitment to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), while Easton's Chanelle Price has given a verbal to the University of Tennessee.

Krais, the holder of state and national records in the hurdles and heptathlon, will join former PA star Nicole Leach in a program renowned for their coaching, especially in the hurdles and multis. The short list of schools Krais had considered also included Stanford, Virginia Tech, Texas and South Carolina.

Price, who has the 3rd best-ever prep 800, and who made the finals of the US Championships this past summer, selected Tennessee, also because of coaching. Head coach J.J. Clark is married to five-time Olympian Jeryl, and is the brother and coach of four-time Olympian Joetta, and two-time Olympian Hazel. His spouse holds the U.S. record in the 800. Price's final list also included UCLA, along with USC and the University of Michigan. 

In her annual tune-up to the Northeast Foot Locker regionals set for Nov 24th, Shippensburg senior Neely Spence ran a very quick 17:18 in the New York Road Runners XC Championships on the 5K course at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. Boiling Springs senior Kara Millhouse ran her best time ever on the course, showing she is ready for the regionals, going 18:47 to finish as the second woman. MORE...

Note: All times are unofficial.

I have a credit of $373 with Southwest Airlines that cannot be extended and expires at the end of November - meaning I lose $373. I will sell the credit for 25% off. The late ticket is about $400 roundtrip from Philadelphia. Interested? Give me a call at 610-662-6677.

Don 

Welcome to the second year of the PennTrackXC.com PA Cross Country Team Rankings. We begin with the Pre-Season Top 10, which was developed through voting by a state-wide panel of coaches. By popular demand, we are adding a second poll for 2007. The Top 10 will continue to be selected from all schools in PA, AA and AAA public, plus private and parochial. Our new poll will rank the top five AA teams in the state. Enjoy...

Just after 7am Saturday, the decision was made to postpone the District 3 meet until Sunday. First race will be at 1:30, with the next three races at 2:15, 3:00 and 3:45. Note the 45 minute time period between races, rather than an hour.

The respect is there. Respect that has been earned after nearly a decade of being shut out at the top of the podium in the chase for the AAA boys cross country state team title.

Actually, it has been eight long years since a WPIAL (District 7) team has won the boys' crown. That was 1999, and it wasn't even North Allegheny - this year's pre-season PA #1 team in the PennTrackXC.com coaches poll. It was WPIAL rival Mount Lebanon.

Photo: 2006 WPIAL Champs and those 1990's warmups...

The respect is there. Respect that has been earned after nearly a decade of being shut out at the top of the podium in the chase for the AAA boys cross country state team title.

Actually, it has been eight long years since a WPIAL (District 7) team has won the boys' crown. That was 1999, and it wasn't even North Allegheny - this year's pre-season PA #1 team in the PennTrackXC.com coaches poll. It was WPIAL rival Mount Lebanon.

Photo: 2006 WPIAL Champs and those 1990's warmups...

"Bulldog was a big wake-up call for us as a team."

When Christina Faust – one of the increasingly well known Faust triplets of Emmaus High School – recently made that observation, she was referring to her team's reaction to a surprising 37-second compression and 19 points at the 2006 Bulldog Invitational at Northern Lehigh. The revelation? "Wow, we're really good!" But while Christina and her teammates were realizing they had a potential state medalist team, observers of the sport were coming to the same realization. 'Wow, they're good.'

In the first round on Monday morning (Osaka time - Sunday evening Philly time) Nicole Leach ran 55.95 for 4th in the 1st of five heats of the 400 hurdles, advancing automatically - Photo by Vic Sailor, PhotoRun.net

No one doubted that under the guidance of Jeanette Bolden, Bob Kersee and Jackie Jorner Kersey, that 2005 West Catholic grad Nicole Leach would some day reach the world stage. Some were surprised by the speed with which she accomplished the goal. But not Leach...

Don Rich talked with Nicole between USATF and Pan-Am, and asked about her college choice decision process, rapid development, and expectations for Osaka. We have all the links you'll need to follow Nicole's journey, including TV schedule, event calendar, webcast schedule, and Nicole's Diary on the UCLA web site...

2007 NCAA Champs photo courtesy of Victor Sailer, PhotoRun.net 

 
In Tuesday's semis (9:40 pm Osaka time - 8:40 am Philly), Nicole Leach finished 6th in the 2nd of three heats in 56.10 and did not advance to the finals of her first 400 hurdles on the world stage. In the first round on Monday morning (Osaka time - Sunday evening Philly time) Nicole Leach had run 55.95 for 4th in the 1st of five heats of the 400 hurdle, an auto advance.

No one doubted that under the guidance of Jeanette Bolden, Bob Kersee and Jackie Jorner Kersey, that 2005 West Catholic grad Nicole Leach would some day reach the world stage. Some were surprised by the speed with which she accomplished the goal. But not Leach...

Don Rich talked with Nicole between USATF and Pan-Am, and asked about her college choice decision process, rapid development, and expectations for Osaka. We have all the links you'll need to follow Nicole's journey, including TV schedule, event calendar, webcast schedule, and Nicole's Diary on the UCLA web site...

2007 NCAA Champs photo courtesy of Victor Sailer, PhotoRun.net

Attention Team Administrators of team pages on PennTrackXC.com: With the recent upgrade in software and relaunch of the network as MileSplit.us, we're catching and fixing glitches as we find them (email don@penntrackxc.com with all the details if you find one).  On Wednesday, even more features were completed on the team pages. Check this story every day for the new features and have your coach get their request in to be a Team Page Administrator.

- Edit Athletes on Roster
- Add New Athletes to Roster
- Hide Athletes from Roster
- Approve/Deny Athlete or Parent "Claim Profile" Requests
- Athletes once approved can now edit some info in their profile
 

So just login, and click the "Enter Admin Mode" button. If you're not yet a team admin, email don@penntrackxc.com. You'll need your coach's OK if you're a parent or athlete.

 Announcement of Milesplit.us becoming a Partner of RunnersWorld.com  Article by Don Rich of Penntrackxc.com

As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport.

On August 19, 2007, the MileSplit Network becomes MileSplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and it's first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story...

On August 19, 2007, the MileSplit Network becomes MileSplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and it's first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story...

On August 19, 2007, the MileSplit Network becomes MileSplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and it's first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story...

On August 19, 2007, the MileSplit Network becomes MileSplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and it's first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story...

On August 19, 2007, the Milesplit Network becomes Milesplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and its  first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-State network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion - providing in-depth, state -focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross-country 24/7/365 - we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story ....

On August 19, 2007, the MileSplit Network becomes MileSplit.us and welcomes an important new partner, Runner's World... and it's first national editor, Scott Bush. As a growing 25-state network of distinct, yet united web sites dedicated to the pursuit of our passion – providing in-depth, state-focused coverage of youth and high school track & field and cross country 24/7/365 – we have found a partner to help us achieve our dream of not only growing the network, but of making it into a sustainable resource for the sport. The whole story...