Article written by Paul Kirsch | American Trail Running Association
Eight athletes have been named to the 2025 USATF U18 Mountain Running Team slated to compete in the18th edition of the International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Donovaly, Slovakia on Saturday, June 14. Twenty nations are slated to compete, the most ever in the event’s history.
The race will be held at Park Snow Donovaly in central Slovakia at one of the country’s most famous ski resorts. The US squad has had phenomenal success in the last few years at the Youth Mountain Running Cup, including back-to-back podiums for both the boys’ and girls’ teams in 2023 and 2024. The team is looking to continue that success in 2025 with another great US team.
The 5.8-km route The uphill course runs mainly through forest terrain and meadows along marked hiking trails and has a total elevation gain of 513 meters. The top three finishers score for the team and medals are presented to the top three teams and top three individuals in both the girls’ and boys’ divisions.
The U.S. squad will consist of 4 girls and 4 boys. The members of the team from Colorado include:
Brenna Jorde – 17, Castle Rock, CO
Brenna finished in 5th place at the 2024 National High School Trail Championships. Her 1600 meter personal best is 5:03 along with a cross country 5km best of 17:39.
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to race and represent the USA at the U18 International Mountain Running Cup. I’m honored to be able to compete alongside such an amazingly talented group of athletes on the world stage!”
Sky St. Louis – 16, Parker, CO
Sky has a personal best of 4:56.64 for 1600 meters which she achieved at 2024 Nike Outdoor Nationals. She also has a 17:33 5km cross country best, which set a school record.
“I am so excited to represent the US in an international event! Going overseas to compete, I know I will be up against the best competition and this will be an experience I remember forever. I also look forward to building connections with my new teammates.”
Dylan Blair – 17, Eagle, CO
Dylan returns to the team after an individual bronze medal finish at the 2024 U18 race, and has a 5km cross country personal best of 15:04.10 and a 9:03 2 mile at Nike Indoor Nationals in 2025.
“I was very excited to hear I would be competing again on the USA U18 Mountain Running Team in Slovakia this Summer. I can’t wait to be a part of the great atmosphere that this team provides with its great coaching staff and star athletes.”
Tyler Blair – 17, Eagle, CO
Tyler was on the 2024 U18 Team, finishing 10th overall, helping his brother and the team win a Gold Team Medal. He has a personal best of 1:56.27 at 800 meters and a 15:03.69 cross country best at Nike Cross Southwest Regionals.
“I was super excited to be selected again for the U18 mountain running team. It is truly an honor to run for the team.”
Other members of the team include:
- Izze Baggish – 16, Woodstock, VT
- Ieva Macinnes – 16, Wellesley, MA
- Bearren Kee – 17, Window Rock, AZ
- Vlad Kosolapov – 17, Sammamish, WA
Team staff
The staff this year are Melody Fairchild, Boulder, CO, and Paul Kirsch, Madison, NH. Melody and Paul have been the U18 Team Staff for the last two U18 Mountain Championships. Melody brings an extensive coaching background with her Boulder Warriors group as well as being a member of the 2012 US Mountain Running Team. Her 8th place finish helped the US Women’s squad to win the gold medal. Paul has been the U20 US Mountain Running Team Manager since 2010 and is now overall Team Leader for the US Mountain and Trail Running Team that will compete in Canfranc, Spain in September 2025.
“Melody and I both continue to be impressed with the caliber of athletes applying for the U18 Team. The interest in mountain and trail running from young runners in the US is phenomenal. Having the past team experience of Tyler and Dylan will be an added plus,” noted Kirsch.
To learn more about the event visit the race website.