By Ryan Sweeney
2023 AAU Cross Country National Championships
Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Location: Apalachee Regional Park - Tallahassee, FL
Results | Watch Replay
Tallahassee, Florida. (December 4, 2023) –It was a slip and slide finish as we watched athletes from across the country race to the finish on a wet and muddy course in Tallahassee, Florida.
For the third time, Tallahassee hosted the AAU Cross Country Nationals. With over 1,400 athletes from 32 states and territories including Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico converging on the challenging terrain of Apalachee Regional Park. Despite the adversities presented by nature, every participant poured their heart into the race.
A rainy forecast filled with bolts of lightning started the day off with minor delays. As the weather improved, the racers ran to the starting line to get their chance to take on the now muddy and swamp-like course. A mixture of smiles and focused determination could be seen on all the athletes as they locked in for the start of their races.
Athletes were sorted into 6 age-based divisions: Boys and Girls 6 and under, Boys and Girls 7-8, Boys and Girls 9-10, Boys and Girls 11-12, Boys and Girls 13-14, Boys and Girls 15-18. AAU National Championship medals were awarded to the top 25 individual places, top 3 teams per divisions, and the top 8 individual finishers of each age earned All American patches. Trophies were also awarded to the top 3 teams in each age division and an overall team champion trophy was awarded to Prospect Park Youth Running Club out of Brooklyn, NY
Boys’ 6 & Under 1k – Westly York – Pacific Coast Shockwaves (4:10.35)
Girls’ 6 & Under 1k – Diem Romero – Penguin XC and Track Club (4:08.63)
Boys’ 7 Year Old 2k – Matthew Stuart – Unattached (8:19.41)
Girls’ 7 Year Old 2k – Morgan Codrington – V02Max Track Club (8:15.4)
Boys' 8 Year Old 2k -- Greyson Romero -- Penguin XC and Track Club (8:15.33)
Girls 8 Year Old 2k – Kyleigh Bryant – V02max Track Club (8:31.58)
Boys 9 Year Old 3k – Cyrus Boschen – V02max Track Club (10:57.31)
Girls 9 Year Old 3k – Abilgail Riley – V02max Track Club (11:56.41)
Boys 10 Year Old 3k – Morgan Byford – Seven Locks (10:57.6)
Girls 10 Year Old 3k – Angelina Alder – Roadrunners (11:21.32)
Boys 11 Year Old 3k – Willie Mckenney – Genesis Athletics (10.50.82)
Girls 11 Year Old 3k – Aria Boschen – V02mac Track Club (11:12.1)
Boys 12 Year Old 3k – Derek Locktish – Bullseye Running (10.18.17)
Girls 12 Year Old 3k – Grace Love – Seven Locks Running Club (11:11.93)
Boys 13 Year Old 4k – Miller Crum – R&R Track Club (12:46.18)
Girls 13 Year Old 4k – Adriana Pettinelli – Tailwind Track Club (13:46.62)
Boys 14 Year Old 4k – Skylar Manatt – WesleyChapel NewTampa Mustangs (12:28.01)
Girls 14 Year Old 4k – Kaitlyn Estep – Without Limits (14:06.29)
Boys 15-16 Year Old 5k – Noel Huato – Fast Track Lamont (16:14.79)
Girls 15-16 Year Old 5k – Maxine Paul-Emile – Prospect Park (20:13.4)
Boys 17-18 Year Old 5k – Taylor Warrick – Zion Hill Running Club (16:14.71)
Girls 17-18 Year Old 5k – Avery Fronrath – Impact Speed Athletics (19:32.56)
Too See a full list of results and which top 8 individuals in each division earned All American patches, visit aautrackandfield.org
If you missed any of the action or if you want to relive the moments, head to FloTrack for the replay of the event. Click here to watch the replay.
Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in AAU Cross Country this season. We are excited to see the distance runners come out and race during the Track and Field season. To stay up to date on all upcoming events and news visit. aautrackandfield.org.
Be sure to check out these images from the past weekend, and follow us on social: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.