Minnesotans Flood the Chute at USA Cross

The USA Cross Country Championships were held in Missouri, but at the finish line there was a distinctly Minnesota vibe.

Seven Minnesotans cracked the top-10 at the meet, with three runners earning spots on the USA squad for the North America, Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Championships to be held next month in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Runners finishing in the top-five of the USA Cross Country races earned spots on the NACAC squad. (The USA Cross Country Championships typically select runners for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but the event, which will now be contested in alternating years, is not being contested in 2012.)

In the Open Men's race, Team USA Minnesota's Chris Rombough punched a ticket to the Caribbean with a 4th place finish in 36:09 on the 12k course in St. Louis' Forest Park. Bobby Mack won the race in 35:42.

In the Junior Men's race, University of Minnesota freshman Adam Zutz and Aaron Bartnik finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively on the 8K course, earning trips abroad.

Both former MSHSL Class AA cross country champions were clocked in 24:58.

Also finishing in the top-10 of the race were Minnesotans Adam Braun, Mike Jergenson, and Bryant Blahnik, in 6th, 8th, and 10th, respectively.

In Open Women's competition, Team USA Minnesota's Jamie Cheever finished 6th, running 27:48 for 8K. USA 1 Mile champion Sara Hall won the race in 26:51.

Find full results of the event HERE. Watch race video HERE.