A pair of Kelowna runners have qualified for the Canadian National Cross Country Championships.

Kelowna Secondary School students Connor Clerke and Sasha Schoch both qualified for the nationals by placing top six at the provincial championships last weekend at Jericho Beach in Vancouver.

Clerke placed third overall and Schoch was sixth overall.

What makes the feats even more impressive however, is the fact the two are both still in the juvenile (16 and 17 year-old) age class, while their placings came against the top junior (18 and 19) runners in B.C.

Clerke was second in his age class in a photo finish while Schock also was second in her age class.

At the nationals, the two will again race in the higher age category.

“I’m really excited,” said Clerke. “It’s a big step. It will be exciting to race against the older guys that are in university now and see how I compare.”

Clerke, a Grade 12 student, is hoping to attract the attention of college or university coaches as he competes in his final year of high school. Schoch on the other hand is in Grade 11, making her one of the youngest runners to qualify for the juvenile nationals.

“I was more expecting to make it in my Grade 12 year,” Schoch admitted. “I’m really excited. I’m glad that my training has paid off.”

Schoch has had a difficult year. Unusually low iron levels kept her from competing at the start of the year and she is just recently back to feeling 100 per cent.

“I was able to train but I didn’t race as much as I wanted,” she said.

Clerke and Schoch are back attending to business this weekend as the two are representing KSS at the high school provincial championships where they will be medal threats.

That event is happening this weekend at Kwantlen Park in Surrey.

Then it will be off to Guelph, Ont., for the runners and the juvenile nationals to wrap up their season on Nov. 28.

Both have set their goals for the national event.

“I always like to set my goals high but I’m not too sure what to expect,” said Clerke. “I think a goal right now is I’d like top be top 15. Top 20 I would be happy with.”

“I just want to enjoy my experience and go down there and have a good race,” added Schoch. “I’m not totally sure what to expect. I’m thinking top 50 but I just want to see how it all goes.”

kparnell@kelownacapnews.com