Linkletter qualifies for Junior Cross Country Championships

PROVO, Utah ­­– With his time of 26:42, BYU cross country runner Rory Linkletter finished third among junior runners at the 2014 Canadian Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Saturday.

"Rory ran an excellent race," BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. "He knew where he needed to be. He led the chase pack for a ways and then broke away toward the end for a nice finish."

In placing third on the 8k course, Linkletter, a freshman born in Calgary, will represent Canada in the junior division at the NACAC (North America, Central America, Carribbean) Championships in Baranquilla, Columbia in February, as well as the World Junior Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China in March.

“I felt stronger than ever in the race,” Linkletter said. “It meant a lot to me because I was able to beat a lot of strong runners. The two guys ahead of me have already competed collegiately and internationally.”

Linkletter redshirted for BYU in 2014 after running unattached in the team’s first two races of the season. 

Rory Linkletter and proud coach moments after his bronze metal run at the Canadian Nationals. On to China! pic.twitter.com/33GFvg8Usz

— Ed Eyestone (@EdEyestone) November 30, 2014