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Two District 3 high school runners and 5A cross country state medalists concluded the 2023 season at the historic Footlocker National Championships on Saturday in San Diego.

Boise junior Jack Sheesley placed 19th in the boys race in 15:44.9 while Timberline freshman Ruby Ihmels finished 23rd in the girls race in 18:26.4. This was their first appearance at Footlocker Nationals, which got its start in 1979 when it was known as the Kinney Nationals. It was briefly rebranded as Eastbay Nationals in 2021 and Champs Sports Nationals last year before returning to the Footlocker name this year. The meet takes place the second Saturday in December at Balboa Park in San Diego and a total of 80 high school runners--40 boys and 40 girls--compete in it each year.

Runners qualify for Footlocker Nationals by placing in the top 10 at one of four regional meets--Northeast, South, Midwest or West--which take place in November and December. Sheesley and Ihmels qualified upon placing sixth and third respectively, at the Footlocker West Regionals on Dec. 2 on the Mt. SAC course in Walnut, Calif.

Sheesley, who arrived in San Diego last Thursday with his mom, said he and the other runners were treated well right away.

"When we first arrived, we had to immediately go down to get our head shots taken and get the backpack with all the clothes and uniforms and shoes they gave us," Sheesley said Tuesday by phone. "We also did a pre-race and got to know everyone, which was really nice."

Hoka was the official supplier of shoes and gear for this year's meet, and each runner was provided a uniform customized for the region they represented. As qualifiers from the West region, Ihmels and Sheesley raced in black and purple Hoka uniforms. In addition, Sheesley said he received road racing shoes, trainers, spikes, shorts, running tights, a rain jacket and a duffle, which he brought back with him to Idaho. Hoka NIL (name, image, likeness) partner athletes Natalie Cook (2021 Eastbay/Footlocker Nationals girls champion), Kole Mathison (2022 Champs Sports/Footlocker Nationals boys champion) and Karrie Baloga (2022 Champs Sports/Footlocker Nationals girls champion) were also in attendance.

Shortly upon arrival in San Diego, Sheesley was able to meet the other runners. 

"It was pretty unreal," he said. "There was a lounge room where we all got to chill. It was pretty cool to get to know them and hear about the courses they race."

His dad and sister arrived the Friday before the race and Sheesley joined the other West regional qualifiers for a run. On race day, each runner was introduced and got to run out to the starting line before the gun went off. 

"My plan for that race was similar to the qualifier race (at Mt. SAC)," Sheesley said. "It was exactly how I planned it. I wasn't intending to get super high up because my times aren't anything like those top guys."

Sheesley said all in all, he is pleased with how Saturday's race went. In comparison to Idaho's Eagle Island State Park, Sheesley said Balboa Park is a slightly more difficult course.

"The hill (at Balboa) is a bit steeper and longer," Sheesley said. "It also feels longer. Eagle Island is a pretty simple loop. Balboa Park is a little bit dustier. It was hard to see at some points. I should've worn sunglasses."

Pennsylvania's Drew Griffith, a senior, won the boys race in 15:06.9 while Elizabeth Leachman, a sophomore from Texas, won the girls race in 16:50.7. Both  team titles went to the South (22 points for the girls, 38 points and a sixth runner tiebreaker for the boys). Sheesley was the first West boy to finish while Ihmels was the third West girl to finish.

After the race, the runners took a group photo at their hotel and Sheesley joined the West regional boys on a five-mile walk to the beach. The weekend concluded with dinner.

Footlocker brought an end to memorable seasons for Sheesley and Ihmels. A year ago, Sheesley had broken 16 minutes once for the 5k. This season, he broke 16 seven times, including running 15:33.58 to place fifth at the 5A state meet in Pocatello for his first state cross country medal and 15:27 in his sixth-place finish at the Footlocker West Regionals at Mt. SAC. 

Ihmels, who is the daughter of Boise State head cross country and track coach and 1991 Footlocker Nationals boys champion Corey Ihmels, ends her first high school season having broken the 19-minute barrier for the 5k seven times. She was the fastest freshman girl in Idaho this fall, recording a personal best 17:55.9 for second place at the 5A District 3 championships, 18:06.9 to win the 5A state meet and 18 minutes flat in her third-place finish at Footlocker West Regionals. Attempts to schedule an interview with Ihmels or a Timberline coach for this story were unsuccessful.

Sheesley, who moved from Kentucky to Boise in seventh grade and has been running consistently since he was 11 or 12, said he is currently taking two weeks to recover and cross train after a four-month long season. Sheesley said one of his biggest takeaways from Footlocker Nationals was gained confidence, especially for the upcoming track season.

"My times in track, especially in the 2-mile, were really slow," Sheesley said. "It was eye-opening that I can race with guys who have incredibly fast times and beat a lot of them. It makes me feel really confident, and track is usually when I'm least confident."