By BOB LEDDY (TAFWA)
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
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13 Dec. – – Barrington High junior Emma Mc Millan placed 23rd among the country’s top 40 runners on Saturday at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, held at Morley Field, Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif. Her time over 3.1 occasionally hilly miles was 18 minutes, 28 seconds.
“It was a little muddy, hard to get out,’’ said Mc Millan, a three-time Rhode Island state girls’ harrier champ. “Everyone had to deal with it. Was aiming to just work may way up. The hills were kind of tough.’’
“The whole pack went out quick,’’ said Barrington coach Annmarie Marino. “She didn’t get out.’’ Weather conditions in San Diego were warm and sunny. “I like it cool and rainy,’’ Mc Millan said, chuckling.
The girls’ race on Saturday was won by senior Anna Rohrer, of Mishawaka (Indiana) High in 17:13. Two-time Northeast Regional champ Hannah Dibalsi, a junior from Staples, Conn., crossed the line fifth in 17:47. The first nine finishers came in under 18 minutes. The girls’ team title went to the South Region, with 41 points. The Northeast Region finished fourth in team placement with 78 points.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to compete [this season],’’ said Mc Millan, who also swims and runs outdoor track. “It’s been great, and I’m so proud of our team.’’
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Course Notes: Two weeks ago at very hilly Van Cortlandt Park in New York, Mc Millan finished third at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional qualifier. She becomes the eighth Rhode Islander to earn a spot at the Foot Locker Nationals . . . The other R.I. female harrier to qualify for the U.S. championship was Portsmouth’s Laura Turner, in 1997 . . . The last local runner to advance to the nationals was Cumberland’s Trevor Crawley in 2012.