While most cross country teams have wrapped up their season, the PTC Flash Youth Cross Country Team continues to practice in the dark, cold, and windy conditions. Why? Simple. Nine of their twelve athletes will be competing on December 8th in the USATF Junior Olympic National Championship in Lawrence, Kansas. For those nine, getting there was no easy feat.

The climb began in early November as 30 athletes from the PTC Flash competed in the USATF Junior Olympic Association Championship. As all 30 athletes, ranging in ages 5 -17, competed in the Association meet against teams throughout Georgia, it was soon realized that each athlete achieved their individual goal of advancing to the USATF Junior Olympic Region III Championship.

The following weekend, the team competed against some of the toughest states in the US to include South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. While only 12 Flash athletes advanced from the Region III Championship to the National Championship, coach Michael Nail said he couldn’t be prouder of the team as a whole. “All year long, we stressed to the kids that there were only two rules: Do your best, and have fun,” said Nail. At the end of the Region III Championship, the times revealed that every Flash athlete had improved upon his or her time from the week before. Nail reminded the athletes, “Regardless of where you place, as long as you can finish the race and honestly say that you did your best, then you’re a winner.”

There’s no doubt that this team is comprised of winners on the course and off the course. Since the season began in the early August sweltering heat, these athletes have practiced in all weather conditions, good and bad. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, they showed up to run hard, train and compete as champions. For the nine Flash athletes heading to Kansas, they realize that they’re going there not not only to compete individually, but to also represent their team, community and state. Below is a summary of the performances in the USATF Junior Olympic Association and Region III meets. Success of the team is attributed to the many coaches and parents who give of their time and talent to guide, mentor, coach and develop these young athletes.

More information about the PTC Flash Youth Cross Country and Track team can be found at www.ptcflash.com.

Athletes advancing from the USATF Junior Olympic Association Championship to the USATF Junior Olympic Region III Championship are as follows: (note: Top 25 advance)

Sub-bantam Girls:
• Marissa Caporini
• Caroline Lail

Sub-bantam Boys:
• Chase Loveless
• Brady Hamill
• Ethan Dial
• Ethan Bilsky
• Liam McLaughlin
• Derek Ewers

Bantam Girls:
• Madison Redmond
• Alexa Bilsky
• Kayla Gibson
• Maddie Smith

Bantam Boys:
• Parker Nail
• Kendall Hilinski
• Andrew Lail
• Kyle Ewers

Midget Girls:
• Mackenzie Nail
• Melanie Hamilt
• Jazmin Zambrana
• Alison Wilson
• Rachel Harris
• Holley Gibbs

Midget Boys:
• Ryan Hamill
• Garrison Pavel
• Kevin Hilinski
• Will James

Youth Girls:
• Hannah Miller
• Claire Bohrer

Youth Boys:
• Luke Lail

Young Women:
• Elizabeth Nealy

Those advancing from the USATF Junior Olympic Region III Championship to the USATF Junior Olympic National Championship: (note: Top 20 advance - Sub-bantam do not advance beyond region based on USATF Rules)

Bantam Girls:
• Madison Redmond
• Alexa Bilsky

Midget Girls:
• Mackenzie Nail

Midget Girls’ Team:
• Mackenzie Nail
• Melanie Hamilt
• Jazmin Zambrana
• Alison Wilson
• Rachel Harris
• Holley Gibbs

Midget Boys:
• Ryan Hamill
• Garrison Pavel

Youth Girls:
• Hannah Miller

Young Women:
• Elizabeth Nealy

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