Kendra Williamson '27 and Hannah Todd '28 Compete in National XC Races

Junior Kendra Williamson ran to 16th place (17:37) at Nike Cross Nationals in a field of 201 of the nation's best high school distance runners.

"Kendra is the first EA female runner to ever qualify for this race!" beamed Varsity Cross Country Coach Laurie Finnical, Hon. "She qualified by placing 3rd at the Nike Northeast Regional [Wappingers Falls, NY] in November."

 The top five individual runners from each region qualified for the national race held at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Kendra explained she didn't really know what to expect since it was her debut at Nike Nationals. "I just wanted to put myself in the front and try to hold on," reflected Kendra. "I knew I would be happy with whatever I did as long as I gave it my best effort."

Despite wet and muddy conditions, that effort landed Kendra in the top 21 and All-American recognition.

In a post-race interview, Kendra said she embraced the "true cross country weather. You always have to work with the conditions that you are given. It's a privilege to be out here."

"Kendra handled the competition and the conditions with poise," said Coach Finnical. "She looked great coming through the one-kilometer mark and continued to run strong throughout the race. She competed against the best runners in the country and did an amazing job. I'm thrilled that she was able to cap off her season with such a memorable experience in Oregon."

"Next year I want to come back and finish a little higher and maybe be in contention for the title," said Kendra. "I gave it all I had, so I can't be mad with that."

Meanwhile, teammate Hannah Todd '28 also competed on a challenging course in the New Balance RunningLane XC Championships in Huntsville, Alabama, where she finished in 14th place (19:11) out of 228 in the Silver Race.

"Hannah finished strong and was able to outsprint opponents in the final stretch. She had such an amazing season and just continued to stack her fitness and get better each race," said Coach Finnical. "I'm thrilled that she wanted to travel to Alabama to compete and test herself in a very strong field of runners. Hannah has worked very hard all season and is a testament to consistency and showing up each day with a great attitude and ready to give her best. She is a key piece of our team, and I'm so excited to see what she does moving forward."

"Since arriving at EA, Kendra and Hannah have formed a bond through friendship and competition. Their unrelenting dedication to the EA cross country and track programs has inspired their teammates to work harder," shared Coach Eric Mundy. "They seek new challenges and opportunities, and have both become students of this wonderful sport called distance running. Two years ago, Kendra was the lone representative for the team at NXR. Last year, Hannah Todd joined her. And this year, their dream of bringing a full team was achieved. I can't think of a better way for their season to end than watching them both perform to their full potential at their respective National Championship meets. Together, they have forged a path that future EA distance runners will follow."