While running stride-for-stride with such a competitive group, The Dalles High School freshman Dillon Dorado finished with a time of 18 minutes and 59.30 seconds for 238th in the 15-to-18-year old division and 146th in his 15-to-16 age category at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals held on Dec. 9 at Apalachee Regional Park, Fla.

Facing off against a group of 37 competitive runners in the 15-to-18-year old classification, The Dalles trio of Sam Alvarez, Michael Lantz and Dillon Dorado qualified to participate in the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships after standout regional performances this past Saturday at Woodland Zoo Park in Seattle, Wash.

Through the 2017 campaign, The Dalles Riverhawks have shown that they can perform at its highest level when the stakes are raised. The boys won their event and the girls placed second, as the team netted 21 personal records at Wednesday’s five-team dual at Tualatin High School.