AUSTRALIA - Last fall, Ben Ericksen was selected by Down Under Sports to represent New York state and the United States to compete in two races being held in Australia.

Ericksen is a senior at Norwich High School where he is a member of the cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams under coach Shaun Horan.

Down Under Sports is an organization based out of Utah whose mission statement is “to use the common language of sports to bridge the continents.”

The first race Ericksen competed in, called the All American Cross Country race at Pizzey Park in Miami, Queensland, saw Erickson finish second overall in the 5K race out of 54 runners. His time was an impressive 17:55. Runners were split into three teams for this race and Ericksen’s team placed first overall, earning him an additional medal.