(Photo courtesy of johnkeklak.smugmug.com)
Forty of the nation's best high school male and female Cross Country runners gathered at Balboa Park in San Diego, California for the prestigious Footlocker National Championships yesterday. The overall girls winner was Weini Kelati of Heratige HS in Virginia, her winning time was 17:09.7. The boys race was won by Drew Hunter of Loudoun Valley HS in Virginia, his time 14:55.7.
Massachusetts was represented by Viraj Deokar of the Middlesex School in Concord, Marcelo Rocha of Peabody, and Ariel Keklak of Lincoln Sudbury High School.
Ariel Keklak finished 30th place in a time of 18:28. The Massachusetts Division 1 All State Champion qualified a few weeks ago with a 7th place in the Northeast Regional meet in New York. It was the Senior for Lincoln Sudbury's first appearance at the National Championships. Keklak will be running for Wake Forest next fall.
(Photo courtesy of johnkeklak.smugmug.com)
Viraj Deokar had the highest Massachusetts finish of the day with a 20th place finish. The Middlesex School Senior was clocked at 15:40. Deokar, the ISL Champion, overcame a rough start to achieve his goal of a top twenty finish.
Marcelo Rocha kept the family tradition rolling with a 36th place with a time of 16:17. The Junior from Peabody High School finished 10th place at the Northeast Regionals to qualify for the finals.
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