Virginia Beach, Va. – It was an impressive day for Penn State Greater Allegheny Cross Country Runner Fernando Leira (Madrid, Spain/Great Mills (md.)) on Friday as he ran in the 2017 USCAA Men’s Cross-Country Nationals. He was one of 166 runners on the day competing against 29 different schools from across the country.
Leira represented PSUGA well finishing 56th overall with a personal best 8K time of 30:13 in the race. Leira also finished in 6th place out of PSUAC runners competing against six different schools from around the Conference. Leira also earned more honors on the day as it was announced that he is a 2017 USCAA National Academic All-American for his efforts on the course and in the classroom.
Leira kept improving on his 8K time with every race that he ran this season and his hard work paid off in the championships. During the regular season, Leira finished at least in the top 20 in every race he ran including a seventh-place overall finish at the PSUAC Championships on October 28th at Norlo Park near Penn State Mont Alto.
Leira stepped into a leadership role this season, as he had to mentor Freshman Cross Country runner Luke Medich (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) as he develops and grows in the PSUGA Cross Country system. Leira said he was excited about the opportunity and to have the ability to transfer his knowledge to the younger runners.
It was a great year for Fernando Leira and it was capped off with a personal best effort at USCAA Nationals. Congratulations to Leira and the PSUGA Cross Country team on an exciting season.