High School Star Alexa Efraimson Turns Pro
Fellow teen phenom Mary Cain’s successful segue from high school to the professionals ranks influenced her decision.
By Peter Gambaccini, Runner's World
Alexa Efraimson, the Nike Cross Nationals and USA Junior 1500 meter champion from Camas, Washington, has signed a professional contract with Nike, and will skip her final year of high school eligibility and any future collegiate racing. She’ll continue to work with her high school coach Michael Hickey, The Columbian and other outlets are reporting.
This past winter, Efraimson ran 9:00.16 for 3000 meters at the University of Washington’s Dempsey Arena to break the national high school record set by Mary Cain at the same track in 2013. At age 16 in 2013, Efraimson was the 1500 meter bronze medalist in the 2013 World Youth Championships in Ukraine.
She ran 4:07.05 for 1500 meters against a field of pros in New York in June, placing tenth. She also won the 1500 at the USA Junior Championships and then placed sixth in the World Juniors in Eugene.
Efraimson told DyeStat.com that “for my personal improvement … being able to stay with [coach Hickey] and be able to go professional is just the best route for me.” She expects to attend college but has not yet selected which one.
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