Posted: December 10, 2007

Athletics: News & Notes, Volume 8, Number 96

Fout, Brasovan win Foot Locker titles Mike Fout of LaPorte, Ind., and Ashley Brasovan from West Palm Beach, Fla., each came from behind in their respective races to win national titles Saturday at the 2007 Foot Locker Cross Country Finals at Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif. Luke Puskedra of Ogden, Utah, set a blistering pace early in the boy's championship race and held on to the lead until Mike Fout took control two miles into the contest. Fout pulled away from the field during an uphill portion of the challenging 5-kilometer muddy course to win in 14 minutes, 50 seconds. "I wasn't sure exactly when I was going to make that move," Fout told USA TODAY. "I knew it had to be soon. I was thinking, 'If you're going to make it, make it count.' I made it and never looked back." Christopher Derrick of Naperville, Ill., was the runner-up, finishing seven seconds behind Fout. Other top five finishers included West Region champion German Fernandez (3rd-15:09), Colby Lowe of Texas (4th-15:12) and Luke Puskedra (5th-15:15). 2005 champion and two-time track & field All-American Jordan Hasay of Arroyo Grande, Calif., led the girl's race following her 5:18 opening mile, and held a lead of 10 seconds over the field after two miles. On her second trip up "The Hill," which is considered the toughest challenge on the course, Hasay was passed by high school junior Ashley Brasovan, who held on for the upset win in 17 minutes, 20 seconds. Brasovan finished eight seconds in front of 2006 champion Kathy Kroeger of Franklin, Tenn., with Hasay placing third in 17:31. Brasovan, Kroeger and Hasay all figure to return for a highly anticipated match-up at next year's Foot Locker Nationals. For more information on the 2007 Foot Locker Cross Country Finals, including the complete results, visit: www.footlockercc.com Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest