The races have been run and even the myriad of awards have been dispensed. Another great
Foot Locker experience ia in the books. It was a fine day with eciting and comptetive races,
which is exactly what can be expected, when forty of the America's top prep harriers face each
other in a quality field on one of our nation's classic cross country courses: Balboa
Park.
Edward Cheserek of New Jersey claimed his second consecutive title by coming from behind
and secured the victory with a fine time of 14:56. Sean McGorty of Virginia, who challenged
Edward for the better part of the race followed in second with a mark of 15:05, which gave him
a two second advantage over jake Leingang of North Dakota. Ben Saarel of Utah placed fourth
in 15:13 to top Jacob Thomson of Kentuckyby a second. San Wharton continued to long
tradition of Ohioans ar Foot Locker by earning sixth in 15:19 and Aaron Templeton of Tennessee
was seventh in 15:29 and Ryan Kromer of Wisconsin finished eighth with 15:30. John lawson
of California garnered ninth in 15:31 and Zach Perrin of Montana rounded out the top ten (15:32).
Andrew Gardner of Spokane finished out his three year career here with an eleventh place
effort of 15:34 and edged Conner Mantz of Utah, who shared the time and was the top sophomore
in the field. Other Northwest runners included John Dressel of Spokane, also another soph, who
came in fourteenth with 15:37. Patrick Gibson of Bellingham ran a fine 15:46 to place 24th.
Poli Baltazar of Aberdeen had a rough start but was busy passing runners down the stretch to
take 31st in 16:00 and it should be remembered, that he placed tenth at the regional.
Anna Rohrer ran as we have seen all season and the Indiana runner took the lead after two
miles and swepto vicotroy in 17:25. Catarina Rocha of Massachusetts caused a stir, when she
rolled past at least four runners down the stretch to earn second in 17:29. Maria Hauger of
Minnesota also closed to well and annexed third with 17:30, as she edged Jordyn Colter of
Colorado, who secured fourth in 17:30.
Southerners Karis Jochen (Texas) and Sophie Chase (Virginia) claimed fifth & sixth
respectively with times of 17:36 & 17:42. Anna Holdiman of Iowa came home seventh in 17:43
edging Californian Marissa Williams, who shared the same time. Bobbie Burgess of Indiana
ran another quality race with her ninth place finish in 17:46 and Hannah Long of Missouri took
tenth in 17:47. Sandie Raines of Texas followed in tenth with 17:53. Katie Bianchini of
Washington finished her fine season iin 36th.
In the team races the Midwest girls dominated with a low of 24 points to win the title. In
second was the South with 49 points. The Southern guys won a narrow victory over the West
by a 42 to 46 margin.
We will add more depth to each once once there has been time to peruse the many
pictures from both races. Still it was a wonderful day of running, which was followed by a
low-key free day on the beach and ice skating rink. Lunch on Beach Patio of the Del was also
de rigueur.