Reading's Imani Brown leapt 48-02.50 for a US#1 triple jump at Christmas City Relays. (Photo by Patty Morgan),

Neely Spence to Begin Quest For Olympic Dream. Spence was an eight-time NCAA Division II national champion at Shippensburg. (2011 USATF 5K Champs - Photo by Don Rich)

(via usatf.org)

The WPIAL Board of Control accepted Allderdice, Brashear, Carrick and Obama Academy as associate members in certain sports. (via www.pittsburghlive.com)

Photo by Vic Sailer, PhotoRun

The grass actually is greener in Coronado, in case anyone was wondering. - Photo by Vic Sailer, PhotoRun

My name is Ann Herman and I am a senior at Pennsbury High School. This cross country season has been an exhilarating whirlwind and it was an awesome way to end my high school cross country career. - Photo by Don Rich

Trenton Coles was carried off the field with 29 seconds remaining in the first half with what is being diagnosed as a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. (via www.pittsburghlive.com)

"I would have never in a million years pictured myself at the Footlocker Cross Country Championships in San Diego California." - Meredith Speakman, Boiling Springs HS - Photo by Vic Sailer, PhotoRun.net

CHARLIE POWELL NAMED SPIRE TRACK & FIELD DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S RENOWNED HEAD COACH CHARLIE POWELL JOINS SPIRE INSTITUTE (via www.spireinstitute.org)

Cheserek held off a late charge by Zeinasellassie after a back and forth battle nearly the whole way.  Seidel was able to make a break with 300 to go after Finn led the race for close to 2.5 miles.  Great races all around from all the athletes!  (Photo by Don Rich)

(via www.shipraiders.com)

Angel Picarillo and Dustin Wilson take 13th in their respective races. At the course tour on Friday, PA athletes Dustin Wilson, Angel Piccirillo, Tori Gerlach and Meredith Speakman - Photo by Don Rich

The girls race at Foot Locker Nationals is a little more wide open than the boys race, but there are still a handful of girls at the top who will be difficult to beat.  The top 3 returners from last year have all had great seasons and have proven they can race well under the pressure at Balboa Park. 

The boys race at Foot Locker Nationals has the potential to be a very special event.  The course record of 14:36 at Balboa Park has been held by Reuben Reina since 1985.  This record is in serious jeopardy as both Edward Cheserek (NJ) and Futsum Zenasellassie (IN) have been consistently under 15 minutes this year.  Photos by Victah Sailor/Photorun.net.  Center Photo by Don Rich.

(via www.shipraiders.com)

Out of nowhere. It's a phrase used on occasion in sports to describe an athlete who puts on a performance that virtually no one expects. And not just a good performance. An extraordinary one. (Photo by Marleen Van den Neste)

Sarah Baxter (CA) won the individual title with a time of 17:38, 3rd fastest on the course.  Haley Pierce (DE) was 2nd, Katie Knight (WA) was 3rd and Jillian Fanning (NY) was 4th. Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) set history once again with their 6th straight team victory at NXN.  This years squad faced quite a bit of adversity, losing two of their top-5 but still retained their position atop the podium.  Saratoga Springs (NY) made them work for it, finishing 2nd by just 24 points with a score of 60 to 84.  Tatnall (DE) finished an impressive 3rd with 186 points.

The Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) brings together the best teams in the country and pits them against each other on the most unique course available.  Portland Meadows will once again play host to the championship battle and the manufactured course that traverses the interior of a horse racing track will have all the traditional features of European style cross country racing; including plenty of mud.