U of L Signee Michael Eaton Qualifies for U.S. National Team and World Championships
February 20, 2006 | Cross Country
Feb. 20, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville signee and Bowling Green, Ky., native Michael Eaton earned the final qualifying spot for the U.S. National Team and will compete in the men's junior race at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Championships in Japan following his sixth-place finish at Sunday's USA Cross Country Championships at Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y.
Eaton, a senior at Greenwood High School who signed with the Cards during the early signing period in November, completed the 8-kilometer course in a time of 24 minutes, nine seconds to become the only high school runner to qualify for one of six positions on the elite national team for runners age 19 and under.
The two-time Foot Locker National Championships finalist and current national high school leader in the indoor 2-mile run finished 10 seconds clear of the seventh-place finisher in the field of 66 runners.
"This is a great honor for not only Michael, but for Greenwood High School, the city of Bowling Green, the state of Kentucky and the University of Louisville," said Cardinal cross country/track and field head coach Ron Mann. "Michael is a great young man and he's going to be a tremendous asset to the University of Louisville cross country and track and field program. He will do an outstanding job of representing the USA."
The 8-kilometer, men's junior race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships is scheduled for April 2 at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka, Japan.
Eaton is joined on Team USA's men's junior squad by top national qualifier Kiel Uhl of Iowa State University, Scott Macpherson and Chris Barnicle of the University of Arkansas, Andrew Bumbalough of Georgetown University and Jordan McDougal of Liberty University.
Players Mentioned
