Ruth White Finishes Sixth at Footlocker XC Nationals

In her final cross-country race as a high school athlete Orono senior Ruth White had a fine sixth-place finish at the Footlocker Cross-Country National Championship at Balboa Park in San Diego, California on Saturday. White returned to the national meet after finishing 17th a year ago in her debut with a third-place finish in the Northeast Regional two weeks ago at Franklin Park in Boston.

RESULTS | PHOTOS

The three-time Class C and New England XC champion showed her mettle after starting in 2:34 for the opening 800 meters and the first mile in 5:18.7. White moved up five spots over the half-mile and was in a great position as they headed up the hills. She continued to press the pace as she moved up another spot to seventh after the next half mile before crossing the 2-mile marker in 11:09.2. White kept her foot on the gas pedal moving up to sixth at the 2.5-mile mark (14:04) and crossed the three mile at 17:00.8 moving up to fifth place. It was a furious kick to finish as White narrowly gave up a spot as she crossed the line at 17:43.1 and sixth place finish.

Ruth improved eleven spots from her debut a year ago where she clocked 17:55.5. Her 17:43.1 effort gives her the second and third-best times ever for a Maine girl, while her sixth-place finish is the third-best finish by a Maine high school girl in meet history. Only Abbey Leonardi (Kennebunk) fourth-place effort in 2011 and Susannah Beck's (Waynflete) fifth-place back in 1985 placed higher. Her timeWith her final cross-country race in the books, White leaves behind a legacy that will be talked about for years ahead.