It was a flock of talented runners from all over the Midwest partaking in less-than-ideal conditions in Wisconsin (Griffin Forberg photo)
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RESULTS I PHOTOS I VIDEOS
Kenosha, WI-
Artic conditions like those at the National Cross Country course on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside could not stop hundreds of hearty runners from making one more attempt to satisfy their goals of obtaining a quality cross-country race over 5000 meters.
For three individuals, it will be a joyous time as they prepare for the Footlocker Nationals in sunny San Diego, California, on December 14.
Tuscola junior Kate Foltz will be the ladies' only Land of Lincoln representative as she is among the required top 10 finishers. Foltz quickly attached herself among the leaders from the gun, positioning herself in the top six for most of the race, 5:45 and 11:26 for the first two mile checkpoints. She was able to hold her position for the remaining 0.1 and finish ninth in a time of 17:42.
The winner was one of the nation's top runners in Midland Dow, Michigan senior Victoria Garces. Like the NXR MW Regional several weeks ago, Garces trailed for the first two miles (5:45, 11:21). Senior Norah Hushagen of Forest Lake, MN, cut the wind through the opening two segments. Garces would storm home inside the final mile and win comfortably over fellow Michigander senior Jessica Jazwinski of Shellby 17:14-17:25.
The boys' race was just as measured as the girls'. The opening pace was 4:59, fast enough for the pre-meet contenders and others to hang around and decide what they wanted to do tactically.
New Trier senior Ben Crane was one of the runners in the top pack. He and Downers Grove North junior Philip Cupial were locked together like glue. They were 4:59 and 9:53 for the first two-mile checkpoints.
Among the flock of a dozen runners within a slap of one another was US#1 senior Juan Gonzalez of Fremont, NE. Gonzalez stormed home first with a time of 14:58- two seconds faster than junior Sean Fries of Minnetonka, MN. Crane was third in 15:03.3 and Cupial fourth in 15:03.4. Both roared home with the foot on the pedal, but it was an effort to maintain their positions among the top 10 and a trip to California.