(Photo by Jeff Adams)
After graduating this year from the University of Florida, Mark Parrish didn't stop running. The former Chamberlain High School standout who went onto make a name for himself in the orange and blue has been training on the Clermont hills while working at nearby Lockheed Martin and recently was selected as a member of Team USA (senior) at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge in Scotland.
Parrish earned his spot by placing 14th at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. He completed the 10k course in 29:47 and crossing the line in 14th place and shared his excitement on social media after finding out he had made the team.
"Proud to be a member of the US Cross Country Team representing the United States at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge! Team USA takes on Great Britain and Europe in Holyrood Park, Scotland on January 9th." #TeamUSA #RedWhiteBlue
It will be the first international competition, for the school record holder in the 5k ( 13:41.87, 8k (XC -23:34.0), NCAA South Region cross country champion and athlete of the year. (2013). On the track, Parrish was 6th at NCAA's in the 3k steeplechase in 2015 and 10th in 2013 and holds the school record for that event as well (8:37.64). Gator's assistant coach Paul Spangler says this is an honor for an athlete who has meant a lot to their program over the past four years.
"I am very proud of Mark having been selected to represent the USA at the Edinburgh XC meet. So many athletes end their career after their last collegiate race. It's satisfying to see Mark building upon the success he had here at UF."
The senior men will compete Saturday in the 8k with the junior men and senior women running 6k, and the junior women competing in the 5k. Stay tuned to flrunners.com and MileSplit for a complete recap on how Mark and the rest of Team USA finished in Scotland.