Loomis Chaffee Runner Competes at National Finals

SAN DIEGO, CA — A first-year runner from Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson captured first place in the 40th annual Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships Saturday at Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif.

In the girls’ 5K race, Sydney Masciarelli overtook Katelynne Hart of Glen Ellyn, Ill. in the final few meters to showcase a phenomenal finish, winning in a time of 17:00.3, surpassing Jordan Hasay’s 2005 record as the fastest first-timer at the National Finals.

Masciarelli, a sophomore from Northbridge, Mass., did a lot of kicking while playing soccer in her freshman year at Marianapolis, but saved her best kick for Saturday. The last mile turned into a classic two-girl duel, including multiple lead changes in the final 200 meters, until Masciarelli ultimately prevailed at the tape, winning by seven-tenths of a second.

Kate Wiser of Southbury, a sophomore at Pomperaug High School, took seventh in the girls' race, finishing in 17:32.2.

Connecticut's two boys did not fare quite as well as the girls. Matthew Farrell of Glastonbury, a junior at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, was 23rd (16:04.9), while Wallingford's Mustafe Dahir, a senior at Choate Rosemary Hall, placed 30th (16:18.3).

Both Farrell and Dahir, while disappointed in their finishes, spoke highly of the entireexperience via telephone following the race.

"Everything's been great getting to the Nationals, especially the New Balance pro athletes they had us meet. It was very inspirational," Farrell said. "Overall, I'm pleased with my performance. I took it a little conservative and should have started my kick sooner, but I learned a ton this year and am excited about the possibility of returning."

Dahir said, "My first mile was too fast and I felt sick when I hit the hill. It's just my second year of running - I used to play soccer. That's a testament to my coaching staff and teammates; they gave me that passion."

See the complete results of both races here.

Photo and video credits: Photorun.net for Foot Locker Cross Country

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