2009 USMRT Junior Team - Bios

Athlete Bios- Junior Team

Juniors must be at least 16 in the year of competition and not yet 20

Junior Women’s team

Robyn Arnold, Redlands, CA – Age 16*
Robyn attends Redlands High School in Redlands, CA she will enter her junior year in the fall. She has quite a range of accomplishments across various distances including a remarkable fifth place overall and first place junior finish in the Mt Baldy Run to the Top. Her coach stated “Robyn is a very impressive athlete with a pure passion for running.”

Robyn says “I love the challenges that come with mountain running and I'm very excited to be a part of this USA team." Her personal bests include 18:02 for 5km (XC).




Alexandria Dent, Scott Depot, WV -Age 17*
Alexandria will be entering her senior year at Hurricane High School in Scott Depot, WV. She
ranks in the top 10 all-time in the state of WV in the 3200m and 1600m. Her high school coach notes that “she has no fear when it comes to racing.” Alex feels that “Being picked as a junior member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team has been a surprise and an honor. I've never dreamed of being given such an opportunity! I'm most looking forward, while in Italy, to meeting new people, running in new places and seeing new things.” Her personal bests include 5:08 for 1600m, 11:08 for 3200m and 18:42 for 5km.





Megan Morgan, Del Mar, CA – Age 17 Megan attends Torrey Pines High School in Del Mar, CA. She will enter her senior year this fall. She has been racing track and cross country for five years and for the last three years has been attending high altitude camps. Megan has placed fourth at the CA state XC championships, fifth at the Footlocker Western Regional championships, 24th at the Footlocker XC national championships, and 12th place at the USA XC championships. Her coach notes that she “has it all, intelligence, engaging personality, incredible athletic talent, old-fashioned work ethic, and a pure passion for running.” Her personal bests include 5:00 for the mile, 10:31 for two miles, and 17:46 for 5km.




2009 Teva U.S. Mountain running team – Junior Men’s team

Brandon Lord, Hixson, TN – Age 17
Brandon will be entering his senior year at Baylor High School in Chattanooga, TN. During his
junior year, Brandon captured 2nd place in both the 1600 & 3200m at the TN state meet and won the Emerging Elite 2 mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. He notes that “over half of my training takes place on hills, I love trail running and for that reason really enjoy running on the mountains locally.” Brandon’s coach feels that he “is an emerging and virtually untapped talent. He comes from a deep swimming background, providing a strong aerobic base. He thinks tactically whilst in the midst of a race, gauges his effort, and plans his attacks accordingly.” His personal bests include: 4:16-1600m, 9:15-3200m, and 15:19 for 5km.

Dan Nafziger, Harrisonburg, VA – Age 18
Dan will be entering his freshman year at George Mason University, VA. He was injured for part of his senior year at Harrisonburg High School, VA. Injuries curtailed his XC season, however he bounced back and was named team MVP and was Captain of his track team. His accomplishments include 10 times being a VA state selection, winning both the mile and two-mile at the Region III championships, and finishing 15th at the VHSL state cross country championships during his junior year. His coach feels that his “background experiences, including adversity; have made Dan both fitter and hungrier to train hard and smart.” Dan notes "I'm really excited to represent the U.S. and work with my teammates to compete against the rest of the world. Being selected for the team makes all of the hard training I'm doing all the more worthwhile." His personal bests include: 1600m-4:23, 3200m-9:29, and 5km (XC) – 15:57.

Brian Rooney, Arlington, VA – Age 19
Brian recently completed his freshman year at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. While in high school (St. Albans) he was IAC conference champion in cross country and track and was named All-District in XC and track three times. While at Johns Hopkins he was All-conference in cross country and was also named freshman of the year. He has trained at altitude in both Golden and Boulder CO. Brian said he is “honored to be a part of the U.S. Junior Mountain Team and look forward to competing in Campodolcino." His high school coach noted that Brian has “strength as a distance runner and strength of character.” His personal bests include: 800m-1:59, 1600m-4:27, 5000m-15:19, and 10km: 33:46.



Tim Smith, Roanoke, VA – Age 19 Tim completed his freshman year at the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. Last year in Sierre Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Tim distinguished himself by placing fifth at the World Mountain Running Championships. While in High School he was All-State in cross country and finished 22nd in the Footlocker South Region cross country championships. At Richmond he finished sixth in the Atlantic 10 indoor track conference championships in the 3,000m (8:37). He recently won the AEP festival 10k in Roanoke over a challenging and hilly course. Tim’s college coach states, “Tim has become stronger over the past 12 months and is excited about the possibility of returning to the team this year.” Tim notes “I'd just like to express how much I appreciate being selected to the U.S. junior team again. It's a huge honor to be able to represent my country in this race. I'm very excited about the world championships!” His personal bests include: 1600m-4:17, 3200m-9:16, 5k-15:28, and 10k-32:58.

* age at time of World Championships 2009