McClintock & Leonardi headed to Foot Locker Nationals

Abbey Leonardi pursues first place at the Footlocker Northeast race (Photo by Penntrackxc.com)

Results

With a third straight trip to San Diego on the line, Kennebunk senior Abbey Leonardi didn't panic when NY's Laura Luff took the lead early on in the Footlocker Northeast race at Sunken Meadow Park in King's Point, NY. Leonardi the pre-meet favorite used her racing experience over the past 4 years to stay near the front, and make her move after the first mile, knowing that cardiac hill awaited runners.

Abbey battled with eventual winner & Villanova bound PA senior Angela Piccirillo over the final miles, but was unable to match the finishing speed of Piccirillo. Although Leonardi was the top returner & favorite, notching a second consecutive runner-up finish in the Footlocker Northeast race & 3rd trip to Footlocker Nationals is nothing to be disappointed about. It took the 3rd fastest time in course history, 18:01.4 to defeat her, only last year's FL National champion Aisling Cuffe has run faster on the course.

Leonardi who became the first Maine HS girl to qualify for the FL National meet three times will be aiming to improve on her 16th place finish from 2010.

On the boys side, Madison's Matt McClintock went into the FL Regional meet looking to prove he belonged among the HS Elite. The senior who was coming off a fine 3rd place finish at the New England Championships two weeks ago, knew he could make a run for a trip to San Diego. McClintock fufilled his beliefs as he finished a strong 6th place overall running 15:51.2 over the 5k layout at Sunken Meadow.

Matt started off with the pack, coming through the mile in 2nd place as everyone was bunched up as the ran a conserative 4:59-5:01 first mile. McClintock  passed 2 miles in 10:21, & was in 6th place after Cardiac Hill.

"I knew I was in 5th coming off Cardiac hill,  my whole pack started kicking, one guy got by me, I still was questioning in the shoot whether I was top ten." McClintock said.

McClintock will now get ready for the National meet held in San Diego at the famed Balboa Park, it'll be his first trip to nationals and believe it or not first time flying!

Freshman Willow Parker (Camden Hills) had a strong finish to nab 23rd place, she was the 2nd fastest freshman in the field 19:22.76.

Abby Mace (Maranacook) finished off her HS xc career with a 27th place finish 19:32.76

Telstar sophomore Josef Andrews finished 39th in the seeded race, he was the top 10th grader in the race (16:54.45)

Boys Seeded Race

Matt McClintock (Madison) 6th place (1st trip to Foot Locker Nationals)  15:51.2

Josef Holt (Telstar) 39th place 16:54.45 (Top Sophomore in race)

Chris Dunn (Kennebunk) 75th  17:40.55

Ben Lewis (Telstar) 107th  18:46.26

Watch Boys Race

Girls Seeded Race

Abby Leonardi (Kennebunk) 2nd place 18:05  (3rd straight trip to Foot Locker Nationals) 18:05.7

Willow Parker (Camden Hils) 24th 19:22.76

Abby Mace (Maranacook) 27th 19:32.76

Laura Broderick (Kennebunk) 62nd  20:47.16

Watch Girls Race Video

Boys Freshman Race

William Fletcher (MDI) 18th 19:22.96

Boys Sophomore Race

Bronson Dean (Telstar) 57th 19:40.96

Girls Sophomore Race

Nora Hubbell (MDI) 20th 24:28.07

Photos

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