HOKA Postal Nationals Announces 2021 National Champions After Record Turnout

Boise (ID) Girls and Conroe The Woodlands (TX) Boys crowned as champions of the 8th annual two-mile high school team competition

(EUGENE, OR.), November 4, 2021 — RunnerSpace and HOKA ONE ONE®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), are excited to announce the girls of Boise XC Club (ID) and the boys of the Conroe The Woodlands XC Club (TX), as the winners of the 8th Annual 2021 HOKA Postal Nationals Championship.

Reviving a tradition from the 1970s, HOKA Postal Nationals empowers high school cross-country teams from every state to compete against each other in a timed two-mile race on the track. To receive a ranking, teams race in Local Events or Team Time Trials and then submit the times of their top five finishers to a national online leaderboard powered by RunnerSpace. The competition format provides an opportunity for every team in the country to compete for a national championship in a sport where inter-state comparisons can be difficult due to varying course distances, terrains, and conditions.

From August 24 through October 31, the HOKA Postal Nationals competition saw record turnout and results. More than 800 team race results were posted from across the nation to the national leaderboard setting a program record for participation.

“A big part of the mission at HOKA is to inspire the next generation of runners. For years, the HOKA Postal Nationals has directly welcomed thousands of boys and girls across the nation. This season was no different as we celebrate the most participants in the program's history. We are creating an immediate positive impact by providing a free team focused competition opportunity. Beyond attracting some of the top talent in the nation this program simultaneously invites every eligible athlete to compete and be seen on the national leaderboard,” said Mike McManus, Director - Global Sports Marketing at HOKA.

In the end, the girls from Boise XC Club (ID) raced to a program record with a cumulative team time of 55:01, beating the previous record held by Cardinal Gibbons (2019) of 55:44. On the boys’ side, Conroe The Woodlands XC Club (TX) became the first team to win a second HOKA Postal Nationals title  -having won in 2015 and posting four top-five finishes since 2014- with a winning team time of 47:33.

Coach Juris Green from The Woodlands XC Club boys’ team noted, “The 'Postal' format has been ingrained in our DNA. Since the 80's [The Woodlands XC Team] has run 3-miles and 2-miles before our district XC championships on the track. This is our boys second time to win this competition. When I announced that we had won after our final workout before our Texas State XC Championships there were cheers and high-fives all around.” The Woodlands girls also finished in the top-3 in the girls’ competition, setting a high standard of excellence across the board.

Coach Aaron Olswanger from the Boise XC Club girls’ team had this to say: “This is a fun and competitive way to match talent across the country against each other. These girls have shown there is a lot of talent coming from Idaho in recent years and is not only great for our team, but amazing for Idaho cross country.” This is the first time in program history that a girls’ team from Idaho has won the competition and the first time since its 2014 inception that an Idaho girls’ team has finished in the top-5.

Final HOKA Postal Nationals results can be found HERE for girls and HERE for boys. Followers can also tune into @RunnerSpace on Instagram for special edition episodes of “Leo’s Learnings” where former HOKA athlete and Olympic Silver Medalist Leo Manzano has interviewed each winning team and celebrated their successes.

Top Girls Teams

1) Boise XC Club (ID) – 55:01.80 (11:00 average)*

2) Campolindo XC Club (CA) – 55:59.90 (11:12 average)

3) Conroe The Woodlands XC Club (TX) – 56:34.80 (11:19 average)

Top Boys Teams

1) Conroe The Woodlands XC Club (TX) – 47:33.70 (9:31 average)

2) Franklin XC Club (OR) – 47:43.20 (9:33 average)

3) Madera South XC Club (CA) - 48:35.20 (9:43 average)

*HOKA Postal Nationals program record

To learn more about HOKA Postal Nationals, visit www.hokaoneonepostalnationals.com.

# # #

About RunnerSpace

RunnerSpace is the digital media hub for the track and field and running community engaging audiences through its industry-leading event and brand website creation software, live and on-demand production capabilities and wholly owned AthleticNET, AthleticLIVE, AthleticTV, and DyeStat sites. Fueled by exclusive content, robust social networking platforms and the world’s largest network of running related websites, RunnerSpace helps brands engage with key consumer segments while those consumers engage with the sport. For more information, visit about.runnerspace.com.

About HOKA ONE ONE®

HOKA ONE ONE® produces premium performance footwear for athletes of all types. Initially distinguished by their extra-thick midsoles, HOKA shoes were first embraced by competitive ultrarunners because of their enhanced cushioning and inherent stability, and today are designed to meet the running, walking and fitness needs of a wide variety of users. HOKA’s road running, trail running, hiking and fitness shoes appeal to serious runners and fitness enthusiasts alike who enjoy the shoes’ unique ride and performance characteristics. For more information, visit www.hokaoneone.com follow @hokaoneone#timetofly.

#  #  #

Media Contact

RunnerSpace: Scott Bush [email protected]