San Diegans shine in major cross country races

Eastlake High School senior Jaelyn Williams and Christian High School junior Elliana Patterson not only finished third in the two major cross country races nationally on Saturday, but both will join Sage Creek’s Josiah Bowman in the Brooks National Cross Country championships at Balboa Park next weekend.

Williams led for much of the Nike Nationals in Portland, Ore., but in the final 100 meters she slipped to third, covering the 3.1-mile course in 16 minutes, 58 seconds. Michigan’s Natasza Dudek won in 16:50.1.

Williams’ time is the 17th-fastest ever run on the Glendoveer Golf Course.

“I knew my fitness was good enough to go for it and I did,” she said. “I think the lactic acid got me the last 100 meters, but I thought it was a good effort.

“Going out with the leaders was the plan. I didn’t want to take it out, but I wanted to stay within striking range. At 2,000 meters, I felt good, so I decided to just go for it, and I’m glad I did.

“I’m very excited now about running the Brooks Nationals.”

Patterson also earned a bronze medal when she placed third in the Brooks West Regional contested at Mt. SAC, clocking a time of 17:53.2 over the hilly 3.1-mile course. New Mexico’s Carmen Dorsey-Spitz won with a time of 17:38.7.

“My body felt a lot better for this race than state, because it was warmer,” said Patterson. “I was in the middle of the pack early, worked my way up to fifth and charged up Reservoir Hill.”

Bowman finished fifth in the boys West Regional, running 15:25.3 behind the 15:18.9 by Page (Ariz.) star Symond Martin.

“This race was tougher than winning state,” said Bowman. “It was 80% mental and 20% physical. With 400 meters to go, I knew I’d qualified and didn’t push it.”

Patterson and Bowman automatically qualified for the Brooks National by placing in the top 10, while Williams was informed that she has one of the 10 “Golden Tickets” given to those who performed well at Nike or were unable to compete in any of the four Regionals.

Three-time National qualifier Chiara Dailey of La Jolla also was rewarded a “Golden Ticket” after capturing her fourth straight section crown and third consecutive state title.

Another runner still hoping to grab one of the extra berths is Francis Parker’s Ari Llorens, who finished 11th at Mt. SAC in 18:11.9.

Other local runners in the top 25 (out of more than 160 entries) were Santana’s Harper Diaz (16th) and Bishops’ Ayanna Hickey (17th) for the girls and Mt. Carmel junior Jaxon Northcutt (22nd) for the boys.