Farmingville Sachem East (NY) senior Lauren Harris, a national champion and indoor and outdoor record holder in the 1-mile racewalk, qualified for the Pan American Games later this year in Lima, Peru, by finishing second in the girls 10K junior division at the Pan American Race Walk Cup Trials in Philadelphia on April 2.
Harris is no stranger to the longer distances, with experience in the 5K Distance at the Penn Relays and last summer in Canada. Harris took second to Beavercreek (Oh.) freshman Taylor Ewert, who many got to know at New Balance Nationals Indoors.
Ewert shattered the freshman national record in the event by walking 7:06.32. Harris has done enough to keep her national records out of reach for some time, but the pair will be making the trip together.
To little surprise, Harris' coach, Maria Michta-Coffey, and Rochester-based walker, Miranda Melville, both made the team in the senior division.
For Harris, this would be the second time representing Team USA.
Last Summer, she did so in the USA vs. Canada Race Walk Dual Meet, where she took third overall. New Balance Indoor Nationals Boys Champion Cameron Haught qualified in the Junior Men's Division.
Women 10 KM Race Walk Junior
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Name Age Team Finals Points
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Results - Women
1 107 Ewert, Taylor 15 Southwest Ohio 49:54
2 109 Harris, Lauren 17 Walk USA 49:55
3 116 Torres, Kayla 18 Walk USA 52:51
4 115 Sirois, Sydney 18 Unattached 53:26
5 102 Allen, Maegan 18 New Eng. Walkers 53:55
6 101 Allen, Kayla 17 Unattached 54:16
7 105 Cisneros, Nayeli 18 Elgin Sharks 54:43
8 113 Mandel, Tara 17 Foundation TC 55:58
9 106 Cuomo, Amelia 18 Unattached 56:21 Penalty
10 110 Heiser-Whatley, Je 17 Warriors TC 57:23
11 111 Heiser-Whatley, Vi 17 Warriors TC 59:43
12 114 Shapiro, Kayla 18 Walk USA 59:58
13 108 Garcia, Maria 18 Park Racewalkers 1:00:48
14 103 Baldassarre, Genna 17 Unattached 1:02:33
15 112 Levine, Jessica 18 Unattached 1:04:21
-- 104 Cagnina, Ariana 18 Unattached DNF