On Nov. 16 at the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional in Terre Haute, Ind., Joe Klecker, senior, clocked in a time of 15:12 in the boys 5K race. Klecker finished third out of 283 runners and qualified as an individual for the Nike Cross Nationals meet in Ore. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The seven-member HHS varsity team competed at the Regional meet and placed fourth overall, two spots away from moving on to Nationals. Klecker was the only Royal to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals meet.

Klecker has found it difficult to prepare for the race in the cold Minnesota environment.

“It’s hard to train for Nationals right now because the snow and cold get in the way, so most of the time I train by lifting and running on the treadmill indoors,” Klecker said.

Eight regional championships qualified teams and individuals into one race over the tree-lined Nationals course at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland.
“I am prepared to try my best mentally and physically at Nationals,” said Klecker.