Names released for 6th Nike Elite Camp

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The sixth Nike Elite Camp will take place Aug. 3-7 on the campus of the company headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

Twenty of the top high school cross country runners in the U.S. -- 9 boys, 9 girls -- have been selected and invited to the camp, which will include interaction with top Nike athletes and instruction from coaches. It's also a chance for the campers to socialize and build friendships with their "elite" peers.

Destiny Collins of Great Oak, recently returned from an appearance at the World Youth Championships representing Team USA is among a girls group that includes seven newcomers and three who were at camp a year ago. Stephanie Jenks of Linn-Mar IA, Fiona O'Keeffe of Davis CA and Lauren Gregory of Fort Collins CO are all back from last year's camp.

Andrew Hunter, who won the U.S. Junior title in the 1,500 meters to close out a sensational junior year for Loudoun Valley VA, is one of the top names on the boys side. Austin Tamagno of Brea Olina CA is making his third straight appearance at the camp.

Here is a closer look at this year's campers:

Andrew Hunter, Loudoun Valley VA - 

Ranked US#1 in the 2-mile (8:42.51) and US#3 in the mile (4:02.36) and also won the U.S. Junior 1,500 meters to elevated his junior campaign to one of the best ever. ... Fourth place a 2014 Foot Locker championships.

Aidan Tooker, Saratoga Springs NY -    

The top returning steeplechaser, he was US#2 in the 3K steeple (9:06.37). ... Ran 8:51.52 for 3,200 meters outdoors and 8:56.16 for 2 miles indoors.

Ben Veatch, Carmel IN - 

Indiana state champion in cross country and the 3,200 on the track ... Ran under 8:54 twice in the spring in the 3,200 meters. ... 14th at Foot Locker.

Austin Tamagno, Brea Olinda CA - 

The CIF Division 3 cross country champion and CIF Finals 1,600 champion on the track. ... Mt SAC all-time course record holder. ... Ran US#3 3:46.94 in the 1,500 meters.

Alek Parsons, Ogden UT - 

Had spring-time bests of 8:55.56 in the 3,200 meters and 4:14.87 in the 1,600 meters. ...  Placed third in Utah's Class 4A cross country championship last year.

Jack Salisbury, La Salle RI - 

Placed third in the Prefontaine HS boys mile with US#10 4:06.74. ... Rhode Island state champion in the 800 and 1,500 meters and also ran 8:56.55 for 3,200 meters all-time state best.

 Casey Clinger, American Fork UT - 

 Utah Class 5A state champion this spring in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. ... Finished eighth at NXN after taking fourth at NXN Southwest. ... Runner-up in state cross country championships.

Isaac Cortes, Great Oak CA - 

CIF Southern Section Finals winner of the 800 (1:51.44) and the 1,600 (4:06.48). ... Placed 14th last year in the CIF Division 1 cross country championships.

Carter Blunt, Independence TX - 

New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion in the 2-mile. ... Texas 5A champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. ... Placed 13th at Foot Locker nationals, 20th at NXN.

Jack Yearian, Bellarmine Prep WA -

Washington Class 4A champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. ... Mile best of 4:10.81. ... Ninth at the Washington cross country championships.

Christina Aragon, Billings Senior MT - 

She climbed onto the all-time charts this spring with No. 18 in the 800 (2:04.00) and No. 5 in the 1,500 (4:16.36). ... Her range extends from 400 meters (55.87) to cross country, where she is a former state champion and NXN participant.

Megan Hasz, Alexandria MN - 

Placed fifth at NXN after winning the Minnesota AA state title and placing third at the NXN Heartland regional. ... Spring track season shortened due to a stress reaction.

Bethany  Hasz, Alexandria MN - 

Won Minnesota Class AA titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 in the spring. ... Placed second to twin sister Megan at the state cross country meet and then won the NXN Heartland title and finsihed ninth at NXN.

Katie Rainsberger, Air Academy CO - 

Colorado Class 4A champion in the 800, the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. ... She ran a mile best of 4:40.92 for US#5. ... Placed sixth at NXN and won the NXN Southwest regional.

Paige Hofstad, New Braunfels TX - 

The top returner from NXN and Foot Locker as she finished second place in Portland and fourth in San Diego. ... Missed nearly all of the outdoor track season due to injury.

Amanda Gehrich, Tesoro CA - 

She ran a US#1 4:39.33 for 1,600 meters and the CIF title. ... Has a mile best of 4:40.25. ... Runner-up in the CIF Division 2 cross country championships last year and participated at NXN.

Destiny Collins, Great Oak CA - 

A member of the U.S. World Youth Championship team, ran in the 3,000 meters in Cali, Colombia to close out a long season ... Ran US#1 9:53.79 for the 3,200 meters at the CIF Finals. ... Also ran 10:00.90 for the full 2-mile. ... Won four invitationals and placed third at the CIF Division I cross country championships.

Lauren Gregory , Fort Collins CO - 

Colorado Class 5A champion in the 3,200 meters. ... Ran 4:41.11 for the full mile. ... State champion in cross country ... Placed 11th at Foot Locker nationals.

Fiona O’Keeffe, Davis Sr CA - 

Making her second straight appearance at Nike Elite Camp. ... Placed fourth at NXN last year. ... Ran US#3 10:00.85 in the 3,200 meters this spring.

Stephanie Jenks, Linn-Mar IA - 

Won Drake Relays and Iowa Class 4A state titles in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 meters. ... Ran US#3 16:40.13 for 5,000 meters indoors. ... Placed 18th at NXN and 15th at Foot Locker nationals in 2014. ... Ninth at Foot Locker in 2013.