In a history-making first, three San Diego Section runners qualified for the elite girls race at this year’s Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals Dec. 14 at Balboa Park’s Morley Field.
It marked the 45th edition of the national championship event. Four section runners have qualified in the past in one year, though that field included two girls and two boys.
La Jolla High School junior Chiara Dailey was making her third appearance in the elite showcase event after placing 11th out of 40 runners last year as a sophomore. First-time Foot Locker Nationals qualifiers included Eastlake High School junior Jaelyn Williams and The Bishop’s School junior Ayanna Hickey.
The Foot Locker Nationals field is comprise4 of 40 top runners — 10 from each of four geographic regionals (Northeast, Midwest, South and West).
Dailey qualified as the No. 2 finisher in the West regional, held Dec. 7 in Walnut, while Williams was third and Hickey was seventh.
Dailey, the defending Division IV section champion, had few issues in cruising to this year’s individual state championship by 49 seconds Nov. 30 in Fresno.
The tables were turned, however, two weeks later for the national showcase event streamed live over the Internet. While battling illness, she fell behind early and was unable to finish the 5K race.
Williams (18:04.9) bided her time, starting in the middle of the pack to steadily move up when the time was right to place ninth while earning All-American honors.
It was a triumph for the two-time reigning Division I section champion after placing 24th at this year state’s meet.
Hickey (18:52.4) placed 30th in the Foot Locker Nationals as two of the local runners did manage to cross the finish line.
