Bluebirds earn medals at national cross country championships

Published 9:30 am Monday, December 15, 2025

Shelbyville, Indiana – The Mercer Island Bluebirds Cross Country team embraced a bitter Midwest winter storm Dec. 13 at the 2025 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, earning two medals and delivering strong performances against the nation’s best young runners.

Races began in temperatures in the low 20s, with snow and winds. As the day went on, conditions worsened, with temperatures dropping into the teens, testing grit and resilience as bundled-up parents cheered on from the sidelines.

Beau Berry and Ava Olmstead earned medals and All-American honors for the Bluebirds. Beau placed fifth in the 11-12 girls 3K with a time of 11:23.9, despite being spiked by other runners on both legs and finishing with blood running down her knees, pushing through to the line with determination.

Ava placed 10th in the 7- 8 girls 2K with a time of 8:39. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “It was a great experience, and I’m thankful for my teammates, coaches, and family who helped me do my best.”

In the highly competitive girls 9-10 division, first-time national qualifiers Clara Pullmann, Josie Pullmann, and Lily Augustine, all finished in the top 20 percent of a 248-runner field. Clara posted a time of 12:53.9, Josie finished in 12:56.6, and Lily crossed the line in 13:07.6.

The rest of the team also delivered strong performances against the bitter wind. Maya Heczey (7- 8) finished in 10:19.9, Liya Sherlin (9-10) ran 13:53.6, and Serena Robinson (13-14) finished in 16:08.0. In the 9-10 boys races, Aksel Davidson posted a 13:19.0, followed by Joey Fersch in 13:56.8.

The national meet marked an unforgettable milestone for the Mercer Island running team, providing young runners with valuable opportunities while representing our community on one of the sport’s biggest stages.