NE Runner dev site
3 Emerging Elites athletes named to Team USA Trail teams
Macey Shriner and Charlotte Tuxbury named to USATF U18 Mountain Running Team, Lily Jin named to USATF U20 Mountain Running Team
In May and June across New England, most high school track athletes are focused on running fast times on the track. This year, three promising underclassmen will take their talents to the trails and represent Team USA at two upcoming international trail races. Paul Kirsch, the longtime USATFNE chair for Mountain, Ultra and Trail and co-manager of the USATF U18 & U20 Mountain Running Teams encouraged applications from USATF New England youth members.
Macey Shriner, Charlotte Tuxbury and Lily Jin, who train together in the Emerging Elites club, are the only athletes east of Colorado to make the U18 and U20 Team USA trail squads. Coach Fred Treseler shared, “These are incredible opportunities for our athletes to step outside their comfort zones to challenge themselves in new disciplines and in international competitions. Races at this level can be springboards for their personal development as a person and athlete.”
Macey and Charlotte, sophomores at Plymouth North and Wellesley, respectively, were selected for the USATF U18 Mountain Running team. The team of four U18 boys and girls will compete at the International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Annecy, France on Saturday, May 27 (Memorial Day Weekend). The race is 4.6km with 230 meters (754 ft) of elevation gain and descent.
“Representing Team USA is something I have always wanted to do,” shared Macey Shriner. “It means a lot to me knowing that all of my hard work is paying off.” Her Emerging Elites training partner Charlotte Tuxbury adds, “I am really looking forward to the competition as well as looking forward to getting to know the members of Team USA and the athletes from all of the different countries. I have never been to France and I’m excited to learn more about the culture.”
Not to be outdone, Wellesley junior Lily Jin was selected for the USATF U20 Mountain Running Team and will compete in the 2nd World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on Sunday, June 10 in Innsbruck, Austria. The race starts in downtown Innsbruck and the team of four U20 boys and girls will compete at the cover a 6.7km loop with 360 meters (1181 ft) of elevation gain and descent.
Lily shared, “When my coaches told me about this race, I was pretty incredulous and intimidated by how daunting it sounded. However, I ended up applying for a spot on the team because I knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Representing Team USA in a race with athletes from around the world on a grueling course in a beautiful country will be an experience that I’ll never forget, and a challenge that I am so excited to take on.”
Happy trails to our local harriers. Stay tuned for a race report!
You must be logged in to post a comment.