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Young local harrier does well
After an undefeated 2018 junior high cross country season, 14-year-old Justin Beard, of Bloomfield, joined up with fellow running enthusiasts from the Indiana Pathfinders Running Club. The team ran in both Junior Olympics and AAU trials during a short two-month period and did very well.
The AAU Cross Country National Championship was held in Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 1, 2018. The nation’s best from over 40 states/nations descended on one of the most difficult courses in recent history, due to the torrential rainfall and muddy conditions.
The athletes were able to compete in age divisions for young men and women, as well as a master’s division. The races had approximately 110 to 250 runners in each event.
Beard finished 24th in the 15-16-year-old age group and 37th overall in the 15-18 division. His efforts helped his Indiana Pathfinders Cross Country Club record a second place National Finish.
Beard also finished in first place in the 15-16 age division at the USATF Hoosier Cross Country Grand Prix.
Beard runs locally for the Bloomfield School District’s junior high cross country team.
His family offered their congratulations to Beard and his teammates, Rishi Poludasu, Matthew Newell, Ethan Lax, Evan Carr and Ryan Spoon. They also thanked all the coaches for encouraging the athletes and giving their time to help the students succeed.