Andy Wheating '06 Wins Junior Olympics in Cross Country

Julia Brennan
Athletes, including Kimball Union's Andrew Wheating of Norwich , Vermont , persevered through strong winds in the aftermath of blizzard-like conditions that rocked the northeast Saturday at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships held at Bryant University in Smithfield , Rhode Island . More than 2,000 athletes age 8 to 18 from all 57 USATF Associations competed for boys' and girls' titles in 10 age divisions.
Athletes, including Kimball Union’s Andrew Wheating of Norwich , Vermont , persevered through strong winds in the aftermath of blizzard-like conditions that rocked the northeast Saturday at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships held at Bryant University in Smithfield , Rhode Island . More than 2,000 athletes age 8 to 18 from all 57 USATF Associations competed for boys' and girls' titles in 10 age divisions. Wheating completed the 5-kilometer race in 14.54.01 minutes winning the young men 17-18 division.“We are so proud of Andy,” said Kimball Union’s cross-country coach “Buz” Morision. “He exceeded his personal best and had the fastest time recorded at the Junior Olympics as far back as I could track – which was 2000 – so we could fairly say the fastest time in this entury!”Wheating, whose fall sport was soccer until last year, attributed his success to “running my own race. I felt comfortable from the start and suddenly I found myself up with the front-runners, and then at the front of the pack. The last 1/2 mile was tough, but I sprinted to the finish – I couldn’t believe I won!” Wheating was so excited that he phoned his Kimball Union advisor, Dr. Dean Goodwin, from the finish! Coach Morison and Head of School Mike Schafer both paid tribute to Wheating at an all school assembly this morning and the news of his victory earned him loud applause and a standing ovation from the faculty and student body of the 310-student school.Wheating is the son of Justin and Betsy Wheating of Norwich , VT. For more information on the 2005 USTAF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, visit www.usatf.org.
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