(Photos by Cedric Gillette)
Citrus Park Christian senior and University of Oklahoma signee Trevor Foley's last cross country race was nearly three months at the FHSAA Cross Country Finals. Foley, completed the Apalachee Regional Park course in 15:47.25, earning him his first individual state championship in cross country. On Saturday, Foley was back in Tallahassee for the USATF XC Championships.
"Training didn't change to much for me over that time," he said. "I just tried to get in good winter base for this upcoming track season as I need the extra strength if I want to do well in the 2 mile and go do post season meets."
The extra 3k in distance, from the high school 5k, to junior's 8k was new to Foley, but it didn't seem to bother him.
"The race was not bad as a whole," he said. The first 5k felt great as we went through in 15:30 and it felt easy. Through 6k is really where I started to feel it."
Foley had to take the week prior off due to sickness and that lack of training hit in the last 2k. He mustered up the strength to cross the line with a time of 25:50.6 and finish in the sixth and final spot on Team USA in El Salvador for the NACAC Championships.
"It's definitely a weird time to be doing cross country, but I thought it would be fun to give it a try and get experience for next year," he added. "I really didn't have any thoughts or expectations just wanted to run strong and finish. In EL Salvador I'm just looking forward to representing my country at the world level for the first time and having fun with the team."
Foley isn't the only Floridian to make Team USA. Melbourne Central Catholic class of 2017 graduate and current Duke freshmen Amanda Beach is also headed to the NACAC Championships. Beach was just five seconds behind winner Ashley Tuitt of Northern Illinois, placing second in 21:13.60. Teammate Michaela Reinhart was third.
"It's an honor to have the opportunity to represent both Duke and the USA in El Salvador," she said excitedly after the race. "I am extremely grateful to be able to race with my teammate, Michaela and the other talented girls who will be joining us."
That list will include professionals such as Emily Infeld and Stephanie Bruce, Molly Seidel (2015 NCAA champion), and 2016 Olympian & 2017 World Champions silver medalist Courtney Frerichs.
"I am also humbled to travel with the professionals and I look forward to meeting runners from other countries," she added. "God has blessed me with this incredible opportunity and I am eager for the experience."