Six preps embrace opportunity to run for U.S.

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The box from USA Track and Field arrived at Olin Hacker's home on Christmas Eve.

The NXN and Foot Locker runner-up didn't wait to open it. Inside the box were a Team USA jersey and a myriad of other national team gear for his use at Saturday's Great Edinburgh Cross Country meet in Scotland.

"It was like I had two Christmases," Hacker said. "It was super cool. It's a great honor to represent the country and I'm thankful to USA Track and Field for the opportunity."

Hacker, a senior at Madison West in Wisconsin, is one of six high school runners named to the U.S. junior teams that will compete this weekend. Elijah Armstrong (Pocatello ID), Caleb Webb (Big Bear CA) are part of a roster that also includes college freshmen Joe Hardy (Wisconsin), Cerake Geberkidane (Oklahoma State) and Andrew Rafla (Boise State).

The junior girls roster includes preps Anna Rohrer (Mishawaka IN), Ryen Frazier (Ravencroft NC) and Makena Morley (Bigfork MT), plus college freshmen Regan Rome (William & Mary), Mary Grace Doggett (North Carolina State) and Katie Lembo (Providence).

Hacker's experience with a first taste of international competition was echoed by others who agreed to stay in shape and make the trip to Scotland.

"It's kind of unreal at first," Armstrong said. "It's that 'Wow, I'm going to over there to represent the USA.' You don't (often) think about stuff like that. You set goals to do it and it makes me personally want to work harder."

Armstrong, who coincidentally roomed with Hacker at Foot Locker, spent most of his Christmas break at his family's cabin in the Idaho mountains near West Yellowstone. He ran on the plowed roads nearby to help stay in shape.

Morley, from the Flathead Lake area of Montana, has likewise prepared for the Scotland trip by running in 10-20 degree weather on snowy roads. Morley runs with sheet metal screws attached to the bottom of her shoes to enhance traction on packed snow.

Morley likened the shipment of USA team gear to "a third Christmas."

"There was Foot Locker, then the real Christmas, and then (the national team gear)," Morley said. "You could build a fort out of the stuff they sent. It's really awesome."

Rohrer, the Foot Locker champion, took a down week after coming home from San Diego to rest and focus on exams. She also had to endure a wisdom tooth extraction on Dec. 22. She has picked up the intensity of workouts since then and feels ready to go.

"I definitely think I am in as good of shape, if not better, than I was at Foot Locker because I have been able to get in some quality training over Christmas break," Rohrer said in an email.

Rohrer, like the others, said she is excited for the race in Scotland, and called the chance to wear the U.S. uniform "a dream come true."

"I was so excited when the USA gear came!" Rohrer said. "The trip finally felt real and I really understood that I was running for my country, not just a school or state. I truly believe this is the next step for me to get to the Olympics. This race will be the perfect learning experience for a different type of racing against some of the best competition. I can't wait to take my running to the next level while wearing our beautiful red, white and blue!"