Cy Woods’ Nowak places third in national race

Dec. 6, 2011—Cypress Woods High School senior runner Craig Nowak capitalized on his state cross country championship last month by placing third overall at the Nike Cross Nationals, held Dec. 3 at the Portland Meadows in Portland, Ore.

Nowak crossed the finish line in 15:27 to place third among a field of 200 elite runners. By finishing among the top 21 runners, Nowak earned All-American honors.

The Nike Cross Nationals is comprised of eight regional qualifying meets and the national finals in Portland, which features a multiple-loop course with man-made obstacles. Nowak qualified for the race by placing third in the NXN South Regional competition on Nov. 19 in The Woodlands.

“I am just so proud of Craig. It is a joy to see someone who has worked so hard to be experiencing the success that he has been participating in the last few weeks,” said Cypress Woods cross country coach Greg Zarate. “He has made the needed sacrifices and has really taken his training to a whole new level. He is a model to all of his peers and I look forward to see him do well on Saturday in San Diego at the Foot Locker national meet.”