Two of America's outstanding distance runners, American record holder
Dan Lincoln and national champion Katie McGregor, will be special guests
at the 2007 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
presented by Finish Linethis weekendin Lawrence, Kansas. The duo will be
on hand to sign autographs, cheer the runners on, and participate in the
commencement awards ceremonies.
More than 3,000 athletes will compete at the event, to be held December
8 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.
The American record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lincoln is a
three-time national champion in the event. He was a three-time NCAA
champion in the steeplechase and won the 2003 NCAA 10,000m title. While
at the University of Arkansas, he was a 12-time All-American, including
earning the honors in cross country.
"I'm excited for the athletes, because I wasn't good enough when I was
their age to get these opportunities," said Lincoln. "It's so good for
them to get out there and compete at the national level, making each
other better. It's a chance for them to take things to another level and
see what's out there for them, while having fun at the same time.
I'mreally looking forward to giving them all the support in the world."
McGregor won the 1998 NCAA cross country title at Rim Rock Farm,
competing for the University of Michigan. McGregor was the 2005 USA
10,000m champion and has represented Team USA many times, including four
appearances at the World Cross Country Championships, where her best
finish was 16th in long-course (8 km) competition in 2003.
"It's a tough course, and it was fun to think of all the history there,"
said McGregor of the Rim Rock Farm terrain. "Now these athletes will see
what it's like to be part of that. It's great for them, to get out there
and have a good time and compete with some of the best athletes their
age in the country. I'm excited to be part of it and get the chance to
cheer them on the way fans there once cheered for us."
For more information on the 2007 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross
Country Championships presented by Finish Line, visit USATF.org.
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