Walter Schafer; Places 2nd At USATF Junior Cross Country Championshps


Colorado's Walter Schafer (Sr.,Cherry Creek HS) finished second at the USATF Cross Country Junior Championships held at the Plantes Ferry Recreation Park in Spokane Washington, earning himself a spot to the AIIF World Championships in Poland.
 
 
While Trevor Dunbar (University of Portland) took an early lead, Schafer hung back with the pack behind Dunbar crossing the 2K marker in 6:04.   Schafer broke away from the pack around 5K and moved into 2nd place at the 6K mark after passing North Carolina State runner Andrew Colley.  Schafer started closing the gap on Dunbar finishing the race in 24:10, just 6 seconds behind Dunbar.
 
 
Andrew Colley (24:16, North Carolina State) took 3rd, Andrew Kimpel(24:19, Washington State, WA) came in 4th, Michael Lynch (24:24, Columbia, MD) placed 5th, Ammar Moussa (24:28, Jr., Arcadia HS, CA) finished 6th and Erik Olson (Sr, 24:33, Novato, HS) place 6th.
 
 (Photo courtesy of Victah Sailor; PhotoRun.net)
 
The top 6 runners will travel to Poland to compete in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.  As the alternate, Erik Olson, will go to Poland if one of the top 6 drop out by a specific date determine by the USATF Cross Country Council.