One of the best young runners in Colorado has been chosen to compete as a member of the US Junior Mountain Running Team.

Heather Bates, a two-time Class 4A 3,200-meter champion at Discovery Canyon High School in Colorado Springs, will compete in the 2012 World Mountain Running Championships in Ponte di Legno, Italy on September 2.

Bates, 17, has already compiled an impressive list of running accomplishments.  In addition to her 3,200-meter titles, she placed second in the Class 4A 1,600 in 2011 and 2012.

She has posted personal-best times of 4 minutes, 56.57 seconds in the 1,600; 10:51.19 in the 3,200 and 18:21 at 5,000 meters.

This is her first US Mountain Running Team qualification. She plans to attend Pine Creek High School for her senior year.

Video interview with Heather Bates, 2010 Rocky Mountain State Games