Aledo’s Graydon Morris joins rare company at Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals
The “Graydon Morris farewell to high school tour” continued on Dec. 14 as the Aledo senior once again posted a top-five finish in one of the nation’s most prestigious cross country races.
Morris finished fourth in the 41st Annual Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships, held at San Diego’s Balboa Park.
The event features the nation’s top 40 high school boys and girls competing over 5,000 meters on a course that has launched the careers of several great runners, such as Olympians Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi and Kara Goucher.
Morris had previously finished second in the elite race in 2017 and third last year. He is one of only two boys ever to qualify for the event four times, joining 1998 champion Jorge Torres (Wheeling, Illinois, 1995-98).
“I’m having a hard time letting it sink in. Getting here four straight years, and to make it to the podium twice in that time makes it even more special,” Morris said.
Morris almost reached the medal stand for a third straight year. His time of 15:18.1 was the fastest he’s run on the course. It was also just 0.1 seconds behind third-place finisher Patrick Anderson of Pittsburgh.
Josh Methner of Mount Prospect, Illinois won the race with a time of 15:08.8, while Carter Solomon of Canton, Michigan was second in 15:16.9. The girls race was won by Zofia Dudek of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a time of 16:45. The top female finisher from Texas was Avery Clover from Humble in 18:01.2.
Morris said he never got into a comfort zone in the race. He was, however, at the front through the first mile.
“I went out too fast. I just wasn’t comfortable from the gun. I never really got into a rhythm,” he said. “But this is my fastest time here, so that’s something I’m proud of.”
Morris was one of two Texans to finish among the top five in the boys’ competition. Judson Greer of Melissa was fifth with a time of 15:22.2.
Morris said the weather was perfect for the race with temperatures in the 60s and sunny. He also said this might not be his last race in San Diego before turning his focus to the Aledo spring track season.
“I might do one more cross country race in San Diego in January, and I believe if I get in the top seven I could go to the Pan Am Games in Canada in February,” he said. “That would be a first for me.”
Morris ended his Aledo High cross country career with three consecutive state championships and four appearances at the state meet. He finished third in 2016.
Now, as he prepares to enter his final season of track for the Bearcats, he is looking to add to his medal count. He was second in the state in the 3200 in 2017, won state in the 3200 and 1600 in 2018, and won state in the 1600 with a runner-up finish in the 3200 in 2019.
After that, it’s off to the University of Texas to run as a Longhorn alongside his twin sister Gracie, winner of a gold medal (800 in 2017), two silver (1600 in 2017, cross country in 2019), and a bronze (cross country 2017) in six state appearances.
“It’s a little sad, this being my last time here (at the Foot Locker championships), but I’m excited about UT and what lies ahead there,” he said. “I’m really trying to not think about this being my last season at Aledo. It seems like it has flown by, but it has been so great with so many memories.”
And though he hasn’t met Torres, Morris said the two have communicated, and he would like to meet his fellow history maker some day.
“We’ve texted each other, and he wished me luck before the race today,” Morris said. “That was nice. Maybe we’ll meet sometime. I’d like that.”