Castro Places 9th at AAU National XC Championship

Noah Castro (L) and new 3000 meter CC American Record holder Andrew Avilla from New Hampshire - photo by Todd McMillion

Noah Castro, a fourth grader at Winfield Elementary School, placed ninth in the bantam boys division at the AAU National Cross Country Championships at Winthrop University / Rock Hill, SC. Castro covered the 3K course in a personal best time of 10:48.64 while the champion, Andrew Avila, set a new national record in 10:15.

Even though Castro had a personal best, he was hoping for a higher finish. After the race, he said his legs just did not want to move. Per his dad James, Castro had beaten all of the top 8 this past summer. James went on to say he was proud of his son for the top 10 finish.

The Top Ten finishers in the bantam boys (10 year olds) 3K race were:

Event 14 Boys 10 3000 Meter Run SBB/BB
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   Name                       Age    Team                          Final
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Results - Men 10 Year Olds
1  Avila, Andrew           10   Unattached               10:15.99
2  HintonIv, Willie         10   Fia Ambassadors   10:31.93
3  James-Heer, Kyle   10   Ann Arbor TC            10:37.71
4  Martinez, Isaac        10   Elite Feet                   10:37.97
5  Hardy, Riggs           10    Derby City AC           10:38.34
6  Hambrick, Luke      10    Lake Cities Xc          10:39.30
7  Cole, Gabriel          10    Unattached                10:43.51
8  Stock, Joseph         10    Tsc                              10:45.48
9  Castro, Noah          10    Capital City                10:48.64
10 Foster, Brennan    10    Tsc                              10:49.44

Last Saturday at the Foot Locker South Regional Cross Country Championships at McAlpine Greenway Park / Charlotte NC, Castro captured the 10 & Under boys' race, completing the 3 Kilometer course (1.86 miles) in 10:59. He finished twenty-two seconds ahead of runner up Coen Roberts of Greer, SC.

Note: Castro is only nine years old making him one of the youngest runners in the bantam boys age division. Due to him being born in December of 2002 he had to compete in the 10 year old bantam boys age division.

On behalf of WVRunners we would like to congratulate Noah on a great 2012 season! We look forward to watching you progress in the upcoming years!

Noah Castro the evening before the race - Photo by Todd McMillion

Doug McDaniel contributed to this article.