Kayla Young to Toe the Line at Foot Locker Nationals


Kayla Young joins 39 more of the top female runners in the nation to compete at Foot Locker Nationals on Saturday. Colorado Track XC file photo by Renee Haip.

Things can take a few twists and turns at the end of cross country season, and this year they have.

An untimely injury to Lauren Gregory has precluded her from running Saturday's Foot Locker Nationals, just as it did last Saturday at Nike Cross Nationals. 

So, Gregory's withdrawal from the race means that the #11 position from Foot Locker Midwest moves up to Foot Locker Nationals. That #11 position belonged to Colorado's own Kayla Young. Young becomes the 39th listed Colorado girl to compete at Foot Locker Nationals. 

Young's season is highlighted by no less than five meet titles, a 17:17.9 at Wiggins, a second place finish to Katie Rainsberger in the 4A state race, and a 17:51.1 for 11th at Foot Locker Midwest. Young also finished as runner up to Rainsberger in the 4A state 1600 in the spring. She finished 12th at Foot Locker Midwest in 2014 and so narrowly missed a Nationals berth last year.

Young, still only a junior, joins Lyons senior Paul Roberts as Colorado's delegation of two to Foot Locker Nationals. The races will be held Saturday morning at 10:15 (girls) and 11:00 (boys) AM. The races will be streamed live on the MileSplit network.