Rachel Blair made her only race count at the National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.
The Evergreen Storm runner from Camas beat 44 13- and 14-year-olds to the finish line in the 3,000-meter run Saturday, at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville. She won with a time of 10 minutes, 5.83 seconds.
“I was kind of in shock. I just couldn’t believe it really happened,” Blair said. “At the same time, it felt realistic because I had been training very hard for that moment.”
Blair earned regional and state titles in the 3,000, 1,500 and 800 races, but she was unable to fly to Florida until Thursday. By then, she had already missed the 1,500 and 800 preliminary events. Therefore, the 3,000 became her only shot at a national championship.
Blair and Isabella Fauria, of Sacramento, broke away from the leading pack during the second to last lap. Blair maintained her lead on the inside of the track and beat Fauria to the finish line by 2.58 seconds.
“Being on the outside in the past was never good. I just had to elbow my way in there,” Blair said. “I was in perfect position the whole race. I’m a kicker, so I felt confident going into that last lap.”
Blair celebrated her national title by going to Disney World. She flew home Sunday, and then headed out on a family vacation.
“I’m a little bit jet lagged, but that’s about it,” she said.
After a few weeks of rest, Blair begins training for her freshman cross country season at Camas High School. She said she knows a lot of her teammates already thanks to the Evergreen Storm Track Club.
“They’re pretty much the best family I could have asked for,” Blair said. “I’m a tougher runner because of these coaches and teammates. I think we accomplished a lot more than we thought we could this summer. A lot of All-Americans, regional champions and state champions.”
Evergreen Storm athletes William Sun, of Camas, and Blake Derringer, of Washougal, also competed at the National Junior Olympic Championships.
Sun secured 34th place in the 15- to 16-year-old 400 hurdles event with a time of 1:01.62. He also notched 51st place in the 110 hurdles (17.8).
Derringer grabbed 32nd place in the 13- to 14-year-old 400 dash event in 55.15. He also took 49th place in the 200 (24.52).
