Four Colorado High Schoolers Compete at World XC

Eric Hamer finished the 8K Junior Men's course in 42nd place at 25:58. All photos by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport.

In an historic moment for Colorado high school cross country, four of Colorado's current crop of high school athletes competed Saturday, representing the USA in the World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China.

The USA Junior men finished in sixth place, behind five African nations, in the team scoring. Eric Hamer finished 42nd in 25:58, while Paul Roberts finished 59th in 26:31. Former Colorado high schoolers Cerake Geberkidane and Paul Miller also represented the USA in the event.

The USA Junior Women finished 8th in the overall team standings. Lauren Gregory finished the 6K course in 33rd with a time of 22:01. Katie Rainsberger was a few places back in 55th at 22:49. Kaitlyn Benner and Valerie Constien, also former Colorado high school athletes, also represented Team USA with Benner finishing first on the team in 21:45.