This will be the second trip to Foot Locker Nationals for both runners. Last year Weitz finished 31st in the national race, while Gardner finished fourth, one of the best finishes at Foot Locker Nationals ever recroded by a Spokane runner. No Spokane runner has ever won the Foot Locker Nationals, which have been held annually since 1979, but Matt Davis of Mead finished third in 1993, and two Spokane girls have finished fourthβSarah Schwald of Mead in 1989 and Megan O'Reilly of Mt. Spokane in 2005. The highest finish by any Washington runner was second by Andrew Maris of White River High School (Buckley) in 1989. The highest finish by a Washington female was by Sarna Renfro of Bellarmine Prep, who finished third in 1993.
The West Regional meet where Weitz and Gardner qualified last weekend was one of four Foot Locker competitions held across the country. For the nineteenth straight year, over 30 Spokane-area runners had their airline tickets to the Foot Locker meet donated by the Lilac Bloomsday Association. The Bloomsday Association provides airline tickets and ground transportation to runners based on times at regional cross-country meets held in the fall.
Spokane area runners who have competed in the Foot Locker National Meet are listed below. More information on the Foot Locker Regionals and Nationals may be obtained by logging on to www.footlockercc.com.
Spokane Foot Locker National Competitors:
1982: Annette Hand, Central Valley H.S.β19th place, 17:58
1983: Christine Slentz, Lewis & Clark H.S.β16th place, 18:08
1987: Chris Lewis, Mead H.S.β12th place, 15:22
1988: Lisa Dressel, Rogers H.S.β25th place, 18:43
1994: Skiy Detray, Mead H.S.β30th place, 16:08
1995: Isaac Hawkins, Ferris H.S.β12th place, 15:33
1996: Isaac Hawkins, Ferris H.S.β26th place, 16:29
2000: Michael Kiter, Shadle Park H.S.β23rd place, 15:41
2001: Jesse Fayant, Mead H.S.β10th place, 15:07
2002: Jamie Geissler, Mead H.S.β11th place, 17:53
2003: Evan Garber, Mead H.S.β15th place, 15:31
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