The sophomore from S. Kingstown places 14th at Foot Locker
By BOB LEDDY (TAFWA)
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
12 Dec. – – Ellie Lawler rounded out her 2015 cross country career in the best possible manner.
The indefatigable South Kingstown High “long ranger’’ took All-American honors after her 14th-place showing on Saturday at the 36th Foot Locker National Championships, held at hilly Balboa Park in San Diego. Lawler, the 2015 Rhode Island girls’ titlist, completed the 3.1-mile, double-loop course in 17 minutes, 56.6 seconds. She was the second sophomore over the line, and fourth overall among runners from the Northeast region, and three seconds in front of the 15th-place finisher: Emma Hurley, of New Mexico. The top 15 finishers in the field of 40 runners in each race are designated All-American.
Lawler earned her trip to San Diego on the strength of her eighth-place finish (17:57) at Foot Locker’s Northeast qualifier on Nov. 28 at New York City’s Van Cortlandt Park. Lawler, this year’s New England Championship runner-up, got down to business once the gun went off on a wide-open start in San Diego.
“I was so nervous at first,’’ she confessed, “but then I realized there were only 39 other girls on the line. Usually I’m used to hundreds of girls.
“I got a good start,’’ she said. “At the first mile (which she clocked in 5:25) I was going at a comfortable pace. The hills were tough. [Friday] we went out on the course, but jogging it made it seem easier than you’d think. The back part [second loop] is the toughest. There’s a downhill that’s steep. I just tried to let loose.’’
Temperatures on Saturday were in the 60s under sunny skies. “It was a little hotter than I’m used to,’’ Lawler said.
“She looked really relaxed,’’ said Sherry Hathaway, Lawler’s coach at S.K. “She maintained her position. I’m so proud of her. She’s worked so hard. She’s a driven competitor, and this was an amazing experience for her.’’
“I was really happy to be here,’’ Lawler said. “I’m happy with [2015 season], and the way I’ve improved my times. I’m happy with the way I’ve improved.’’
Lawler will spend the winter in competitive swimming before returning to outdoor track. As a freshman last June, she was fifth in the state in the 3000 meters.
Course Notes: With her appearance on Saturday, Lawler became the third R.I. female to make the national championship (Barrington High junior Emma Mc Millen raced last December), and third to make Foot Locker’s All-American team; Laura Turner (Portsmouth High) and Rogers High’s Mike Pieroni being the other two . . . Both Turner and Pieroni finished 13th at their respective races; in 1984 and ‘97 . . . The sophomore finishing ahead of Lawler on Saturday was Madison Troy, of Michigan, in 17:41 . . . The girls’ winner on Saturday was pre-race pick Weini Kelati, a junior from Leesburg, Va., in 17:09.7 . . . The pre-race favorite on the boys’ side also captured the national title, as senior Drew Hunter, of Purcellville, Va., went 14:55.7. He’ll attend the University of Oregon next fall . . . In the final DyeStat national cross country team rankings, the La Salle Academy girls’ squad finished in 19th position.