Breaking News: Godwin Heading To Nationals After Finishing 11th



Flrunners.com has just been informed by Foot Locker meet personnel that Buchholz senior Chris Godwin will be making the trip to San Diego after North Carolina runner Mark Blackmon (finished 9th at Footlocker South) could not compete in Saturday's event. Godwin finished in 11th at Foot Locker South in a personal best time of 15:10, one spot out of qualifying, and thought his cross country career had ended on that note.

UPDATE: (1:55 p.m.) I just got off the phone with Godwin who told me he found out about the ordeal over Facebook.

"I got a notification from Jack Manesiotis who ran with me in the south regional and he told me Mark Blackmon backed out. My parents and coaches were calling people last night and tried to get a hold of people, but we had to wait until this morning to find out for sure. We actually just booked out flight so we are ready to go. I'm registered for the race so I just need to get to Tampa to get on my flght. It was the closest airport that had a direct flight and was relatively cheap."

Godwin's flight will depart at 6:45 p.m. and with the difference in time zones should have him in Los Angeles at 9:10 p.m. and San Diego before midnight.  He says he is unsure whether he will run the course when he gets in and will make up his mind when he gets there. The Buchholz senior says he is just ecstatic to have this opportunity.

"I'm so excited. It would have been nice if I had a couple days early notice I'm going, but I can't wait to be there. I'm looking forward to just competing against the top guys in the nation on such a tough course. I know that it's going to be a great experience."

* We will have more from Chris as well as Olivia, Bridget, and Lily throughout the weekend in addition to our national coverage.

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