Three Snoqualmie Valley athletes competed Saturday, Dec. 13, at the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Richmond, Va.

Each runner had to compete in their age group against a field of approximately 300 competitors from across the United States.

Bailey Scott, a seventh grade student at Twin Falls Middle School, placed 28th for the Midget girls division on a three-kilometer course. Devin Sharp, an eighth grade student at Chief Kanim Middle School placed 105th for the Youth boys division on the four kilometer course, and Eric Harvey, a fifth grade student at Fall City Elementary, placed seventh for the Bantam boys division on a three-kilometer course. Harvey received All American recognition by placing in the top 25 of his age group.

The three runners, who run for the Issaquah Gliders, had to race in two qualifying meets before advancing to nationals. The Association race, which included teams from western Washington, was held Saturday, Nov. 15 at Woodland Park. The top 35 runners and top five teams from each age group advanced to the Regional race, also held at Woodland Park, on Saturday, Nov. 22. This race brought competition from Washington, Oregon, western Idaho, and Alaska. The top 20 runners and top three teams from each age group advanced to nationals. This was the first national-level race for each of these runners.