Peachtree Ridge's Brickell qualifies for Foot Locker nationals

As of Monday, November 26, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Peachtree Ridge cross country runner Josh Brickell will have the chance to finish his decorated career with a national title next month.

Brickell was runner-up at the South Regional Foot Locker Cross Country Championships on Saturday, earning a trip to the national championship in San Diego on Dec. 8 at Balboa Park.

Brickell, a senior, is the three-time state champion in cross country and has three state championships in track.

Brickell posted a time of 14 minutes, 49 seconds to finish second to Virginia's Sean McGorty's time of 14:28 at the McAlpine Greenway. McIntosh's Brad Hort finished sixth to also qualify for nationals.

Peachtree Ridge's Kevin Mills placed 56th with a time of 15:48.

Providence's Tayler Tuttle was the county's top girl finisher with a 62nd place and a time of 18:45. Brookwood's Ashley Buda was 75th with a time of 18:54 and Wesleyan's Caroline Reed was 76th with a time of 18:56.

Brickell's personal record is 14:41, which he ran at last year's regional when he placed fourth. Brickell went on to place eighth at nationals last year, which is the best finish for a Georgia runner.

Berkmar's Girma Mecheso in 2006 and Grrayson's Kirubel Erassa in 2008 are the only other runners to place eighth at the prestigious race.

Gwinnett Daily Post