N.Z. Cross Country Team

28/2/03
Hutt Valley Harrier Nick Willis has been selected to run in the short course (4km) event at the world cross country championships on 29-30 March in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The teenage Willis, currently based at the University of Michigan in the United States, is in good form having bettered national junior record marks at 3000m and the mile this year, including becoming the first New Zealand junior to run faster than 4 minutes for the mile.
Willis is one of four USA-based athletes in the New Zealand short course men's squad.
Convenor of selectors John Bowden describes the teams as some of the strongest New Zealand has named for some time.
" We are already seeing the results of the squad system driven by Performance Manager, Tony Rogers, with probably our strongest team in the 4km men and women in many years."
"We have an excellent mix of top USA based and local athletes, all of whom have been performing very well over recent times."

MEN 4KM
Mike Aish USA based Taranaki
Adrian Blincoe USA based Auckland
Rhys Buck Wellington
Phil Costley Canterbury
Nick Willis USA based Wellington
Jason Woolhouse USA based Canterbury

MEN 12 KM
Aish
Costley
Matt Holder Hawkes Bay
Scott Winton Auckland
WOMEN 4KM
Sonia Barry Taranaki
Brooke Eddy Southland
Melissa Moon Wellington
Rachel Penney Auckland
Kimberley Smith USA based