Footlocker West

In the boys race, a pack of eight runners led the race, with the lead exchanging hands several times. Galen Rupp of Portland, Ore., was the frontrunner for most of the first two miles. The finishing places weren't determined until the exciting final few meters of the race when Kiptoo, a senior at La Cueva High School, pulled ahead for the win in 15:32. It was also during the last stretch that Alex Dunn of Santa Cruz, Calif., who was in tenth place, kicked ahead to place seventh, and Tom Wyatt of Tacoma, Wash., surged from ninth to eighth place to fill the last qualifying spot.
    

Mohamed Trafeh, a senior from Duarte, Calif., placed second in 15:35 and Rupp, a senior at Central Catholic High School, placed third in 15:37. Both Trafeh and Rupp are returning qualifiers from 2002. Trafeh placed eighth in last year's West Regional and seventh in the National Finals. Rupp placed sixth in the 2002 West Regional.

The girls race was dominated by a tight pack of runners including Nelson, last year's West Regional and National Champion; Liz Pasciuto of Murrieta, Calif.; Sisters Collier and Marie Lawrence of Reno, Nev.; and Caitlin Chock of Roseville, Calif. In the last 150 meters, Nelson, a junior at Flathead High School, surged ahead for the victory in 18:07, qualifying for the National Finals for the third consecutive year.

Lindsay Flacks, a senior from Calabasas, Calif., came seemingly out of nowhere to break through the leading pack for a second-place finish in 18:09. Collier and Marie Lawrence from Reno High School placed third and fourth respectively, with times of 18:18 and 18:19. Chock fell behind for a 14th place finish in 18:47.

The runners enjoyed good running conditions with overcast skies and temperatures in the upper 60s.

The top eight boys and the top eight girls of the seeded races qualified to compete against runners from three other regional meets in the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships National Finals which takes place Saturday, Dec. 13 in Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif.

The Foot Locker Cross Country Championships is supported by presenting sponsor Nike.

[Footlocker West]