Posted: Nov 14, 2019, 6:03 PM
Bossier Parish’s South Bossier Park will host a qualifying meet for the 2019 USA Track & Field (USATF) national cross country championships on Saturday, Nov. 23, according to Juan Plaza, head coach at River Cities Track Club.
Plaza said the USATF Southern Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships is an open meet that will include eight competitive divisions with select age groups and distances ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 meters. This will be the first ever USATF event in south Bossier.
“We’re introducing an elevated style of competitiveness to our running community, and this is huge for us. Spreading awareness and gaining participation could potentially bring a national event to our home,” said Plaza.
National cross country championships will be held in Madison, WI on Saturday, Dec. 14. To qualify as an individual, competitors must finish in the top 15 of their age group at the Nov. 23 event. Anyone between the ages of 6 and 18 years living in Louisiana or Mississippi is eligible to compete.
Registration is $10 for youth runners and $15 for open and master runners. Registration deadline is Thursday, Nov. 21.
“We agreed to host this event for two years, so we’re looking forward to next year as well. We’re grateful to have our community partners, the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission and Bossier Parish Police Jury Parks and Recreation on board to help see this event through at its highest potential,” Plaza said.
For more information about the USATF Southern Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships and how to register, as well as more information about upcoming sport events, please visit www.shreveportbossiersports.com.