Footlocker Midwest

Footlocker Midwest was a great opportunity to test ourselves against highly competitive runners from another region. The weather was challenging, not that cold (about 25) but windy and with humidity that made it feel much colder. The boys tried coating there exposed skin with olive oil, which helped. (Carter forgetting to put his gloves back on didn't.) John ran first, when it was coldest and went with long sleeves and tights, as did the girls.

The cold snap was long and deep enough that the ground was frozen in most places - leaving rather rough and unforgiving grass or hard dirt. Most of the first 1.5 miles is uphill, followed by ~1 mile downhill and then several short climbs (one of them quite steep) before a steep dirt trail descent to the final slightly uphill 200 meters.

Josh and Jay probably had the best races of the day, running 26 and 25 seconds slower than their season's best. That's quite good for a fairly challenging course. That placed them an outstanding 21st and 29th in the Championship heat. 

Carter was 50 seconds slower than his breakthrough race at the flat and fast NXR course for 94th place. 

John ran in the Freshman/Sophomore race where his 18:29 placed him 40th. That was just 40 seconds slower than NXR.

Ella had an off day, running 1:03 slower than NXR. She was in 6th or 7th place at the top of the last hill, but was passed by several runners in the last couple hundred meters to place 11th – the first one out of qualifying for Footlocker Nationals. That is in many ways the worst place to finish.

Lily ran 20:22 for 68th place in the Championship heat. That was a solid race at just 20 seconds slower than State.

The takeaway lesson was that the midwest, while not nearly as competitive on a team basis as the southwest, has plenty of competitive individuals. To place well requires bringing your A game.

Results are here.

Previews:

Intriguing Juan Gonzalez-Ben Crane Matchup Coming At Foot Locker Midwest

2024 Girls Foot Locker Midwest Preview

2024 Boys Foot Locker Midwest Preview

2024 Foot Locker Midwest Entries by State

Press:

Gonzalez Closes Well Again To Beat Sean Fries, Ben Crane To Finish Line; Garces Beats Three-Time Qualifier Jessie Jazwinski By 10 Seconds

Gonzalez, Garces Stay Undefeated at Foot Locker MW Regional

Summit Daily 2024/12/4: Summit cross-country team conquers the cold at Foot Locker Midwest Regional race

Photos are here.

Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

The Midwest Regional has been contested at the University of Wisconsin Parkside for the past 37 years by runners who went on to become national champions including Adam Goucher, Jorge Torres, Dathan Ritzenhein, Cole Hocker, Grant Fisher, Molly Seidel, Melody Fairchild and Anna Rohrer.

Entries - Full, Colorado

We are staying at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Kenosha

7653 125th Ave

Kenosha, WI 53142