Youth runners from Hilo’s Sunrise Athletics traveled to California last weekend to compete in the Foot Locker West Regionals Cross-Country Championships.
The runners took on the hilly course of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. — between Chino and Pasadena.
The course presented three different hills — nicknamed ‘switchback’, ‘poop out’ and ‘reservoir.’
The Big Island competitors ranged from 5th grade to senior year — and were quite successful, especially when considering that they were competing among some of the best youth runners in the western states.
Medals were granted to the top 48 in each division.
There were roughly 300 competitors in each division.
Waiakea High’s Austin Mohica and Shane Tominaga each earned medals, finishing No. 27 and No. 28, respectively in their different grade-level groups.
Fellow WHS runner Shanay Ha’a missed medaling by one spot, coming in at No. 49 in the senior girls division.
Ha‘a took part in the race following a two week break from training — during which she attempted to recover from an injury sustained following the HHSAA state championship.