Cheserek defends national prep cross country title

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Edward Cheserek successfully defended his national title by winning the Foot Locker National High School Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Cheserek, a senior at St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark, N.J., took the lead on the final steep hill of the 5,000-meter course just as he did last year to win in 14 minutes 59 seconds. He is the fourth boy to win back-to-back.

Sean McGorty of Chantilly High in Fairfax, Va., who led most of the race, finished second in 15:05 with Jake Leingang of Bismarck (N.D.) High placing third in 15:07.

"It's really something special for me to be national champion twice,'' Cheserek said.

Sophomore Anna Rohrer of Mishawaka (Ind.) High overcame an early fall to win the girls' title in 17:25 and finish 4 seconds ahead of Catarina Rocha of Peabody (Mass.) Veterans Memorial High. Maria Hauger of Shakopee (Minn.) High was third, 5 seconds back.

Rohrer fell about 400 meters into the race but recovered to take her first lead with about 1,500 meters remaining.

"I knew it wasn't going to change the race,'' Rohrer said about her fall.