EUGENE, Ore. - College of Idaho student-athletes Hillary Holt and Austen Basterrechea will be competing this week on the national stage, representing The C of I at the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships at Hayward Field.
It marks the first time that a C of I runner has competed at the Junior Nationals – featuring the top track and field athletes from across the country, ages 14-20. The top-two finishers in each event will represent the United States at the Pan American Junior Games later this summer.
Holt, who was the Cascade Conference champion in the 1,500-meters and earned All-America honors at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in the 800-meters, is seeded 12th in an outstanding field in the 800. The Boise native, who set a school record with her time of 2:10.77, will compete against runners from North Carolina State, Georgetown, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and Rice.
Basterrechea, who crushed the school record in the decathlon this season – placing second in the event at the CCC Championships and advancing to the NAIA National Meet, will compete against 12 other athletes in the grueling two-day event, including competitors from Arkansas, Fordham, Missouri, and Long Beach State. He will have a bit of an advantage in the throws and hurdles, as lighter implements that used at the collegiate level, will be utilized.
“It is great to see our athletes earn this honor,” said head coach Pat McCurry. “It shows our kids can compete with the best in the country at any level and have the ability to explore their absolute potential as athletes here at The College of Idaho.”
Basterrechea will compete on Thursday and Friday, while Holt will run the preliminary round of the 800-meters on Friday, with the final set for Saturday afternoon. The meet will run concurrently with the USA Track and Field National Championships.