Rosters Set for Cross Country Clash in Venezuela

By Scott Bush

The APA Pan American Cross Country Cup / NACAC Cross Country Championships take place Friday in Venezuela, as Team USA seeks wins across the board, as the senior men's squad competes over 10k, the senior women's squad races 8k and the junior men and women compete over 6k. 

USATF Cross Country Championship runner-up Aaron Dinzeo leads the senior men's race, coming off his surprise second place effort last month in Bend. He's joined by Tabor Stevens, Donald Cowart, Max King and Joe Bosshard, who finished 3-6. 

The senior women's squad is led by reigning USATF Cross Country champion Mattie Suver. The Colorado-based runner is joined by Cally Macumber and Allison Grace Morgan, who placed 3-4 last month in Bend, along with Gina Slaby and Sora Klopfenstein, who took home sixth and seventh place finishes. 

The junior men's team follows the lead of Iowa State freshman Thomas Pollard and Boise State freshman Miler Haller, who went 1-2 at the USATF Cross Country Championships. Sheldon High School (OR) sophomore Melissa Berry and Flagstaff High School (AZ) senior Courtney Lewis lead the junior women's team.

In 2015, Team USA won both senior races, along with the junior men's race. The U.S. junior women's team placed a close second to Canada.

Team USA Roster

Senior Men (10K)

Aaron Dinzeo
Tabor Stevens
Donald Cowart
Max King
Joe Bosshard

Senior Women (8K)

Mattie Suver
Cally Macumber
Allison Grace Morgan
Gina Slaby
Sora Klopfenstein

Junior Men (6K)

Thomas Pollard
Miler Haller
Benjamin Butler
Reilly Bloomer
Brian Zabliski

Junior Women (6K)

Melissa Berry
Courtney Lewis
Claire Graves
Kathleen Mansure
Jacqueline Garner