MORGANTOWN — Already this year, Morgantown junior Irene Riggs was the Class AAA high-point winner at the state track meet last June.
Four months later, she claimed her second straight AAA cross-country championship.
Now, Riggs is in warm southern California, set to compete in the girls’ Eastbay Cross-Country Championships on Saturday.
The race, which will take place at Balboa Park in San Diego, will have 40 runners from all over the country, and Riggs was selected to me a part of the prestigious event.
“None of this would have been possible without my coach,” Riggs said. “Coach (Mike) Ryan has given me workouts, training and support all season, which shaped me to be prepared for this race. I am thankful for him. I also have the best parents who support me and are willing to take me.”
Riggs is considered the 22nd ranked runner in the field, according to MileSplit, with her best time sitting at 17:21.95.
“I am hoping to run a smart race so I can race to my potential,” she said. “That means taking it out controlled and really focusing on the back end. Coach Ryan has prepared me to I’m ready to see what I can do.”
The race is set to begin at 12:15 p.m. ET, and those who wish to follow can do so by visiting eastbayxc.com for results, photos and videos. From the same link, those who wish can follow on Eastbay’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“I am super excited to race,” Riggs said. “It really is one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had. I’ll be racing against the best cross-country runners in the nation. I am so thankful to be able to compete.”
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