Bangor High school sophomore Ben Allen will compete in the U.S. National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships in Lisle, Ill., on Saturday.

Allen, 16, finished 17th in the 15- and 16-year-old age group at the Region 1 championships to qualify for the national meet, and will join several other Mainers in Illinois. The top 20 finishers in the regional meet earn the right to move on.