Sherwood's Haile Wins Northeast 5K in Record Time
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Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sherwood senior Solomon Haile won the Foot Locker Northeast 5K cross-country race at VanCortlandt Park in New York, becoming the first area high school runner ever to win the event.
His time of 15 minutes 21.9 seconds was a course record, and 15 seconds clear of a field that drew over 200 athletes from 12 states, including Maryland and the District. The 10 fastest runners qualified for the national championships in San Diego on Dec. 13.
Haile, who won the Maryland 4A state cross-country title earlier this month and is unbeaten this season, had company early on, but began pulling away about two miles into the race. He dropped a couple of runners on the course's back hills and emerged all alone at the tape.
"It was really nice," said Haile, who first ran at VanCortlandt Park in October when he set a record on the 2.5-mile course during the Manhattan Invitational. "I've been practicing hard for this race. I can't wait for San Diego."
Emily Jones of Massachusetts won the girls' race in 17:31. No other area runner, boy or girl, qualified for the national championships. . . .
Mountain View senior Thomas Porter placed fourth at Foot Locker South. The 2007 All-Met Athlete of the Year finished the 5K course at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, in 15:01 in cold and soggy conditions.
Porter, who won the Virginia AAA state title last month, called the last stretch of the race "a mud slide." He nearly collided with a few other runners on a downhill, but maintained his footing to finish in the fastest time of his career. This is the third year in a row that Porter will advance to the national championships.
"I was just hoping to get through comfortably," Porter said in a telephone interview. "This is definitely what I had envisioned."
Edison senior Leoule Degfae also qualified, finishing fifth in a personal-best 15:04. Alabama's Bill Matthews won in 14:48.
No area girls will be making the trip to San Diego. Kathy Kroeger of Tennessee, the 2006 Foot Locker national champion, won her second straight region title. Potomac School junior Anneka Wilson (17:58) was the fastest area Virginian, earning all-region honors in 20th place.
Hardin Among Area's Best
This year marks the first time in the five-year history of Nike Cross Nationals that the meet is offering a race for individuals. During yesterday's Southeast Region championships in Cary, N.C., several area runners took advantage.
Potomac Falls senior Josh Hardin had the area's fastest time, finishing third on the 5K course in 15:14. Clarke County's Ben Veilleux was fourth in 15:15 and Andrew Palmer of Whitman finished fifth just one second later.
Brian Atkinson of Florida was the individual champion in 15:11. Jamestown defeated Capital Distance of North Carolina for the team title, 115-155.
The top two teams from each of the 9 regions and the top five individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the national championships in Portland, Ore. on Dec. 6.
Amanda Winslow of Georgia was the girls' champion. Her Suwanne team finished second to Wilmington XC, 45-72. No area girls will be competing in Portland.
