To no ones' surprise, Darien senior Alex Ostberg was victorious at Saturday's Foot Locker Northeast Regionals. Ostberg, one of the country's top harriers, covered the challenging five-kilometer terrain of New York's Van Cortlandt Park in 15 minutes, 17.80 seconds. He was more than 15 seconds ahead of New Jersey's Luke Petela, who was timed in 15:33.40. Another Connecticut standout, Ari Klau of Willam Hall, was third in 15:35.60.
Last year's Foot Locker National runner-up, Hannah DeBalsi of Staples, was second in the girls' race at 17:50.50. Pennslyvania's Brianna Schwartz of Shaler Area, won the race with a fast 17:35.20 clocking. New Fairfield senior Gabrielle Richichi was ninth overall with a time 18:10.60.
Based on their top 10 finishes, Ostberg, Klau, DeBalsi and Richichi earned berths to the national meet on Dec. 13 at San Diego's Balboa Park.
The Nutmeg State also had a winner at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) Northeast Regionals. In the boys' race, Ridgefield's Austin Gilbert broke away from a tight group of five runners with 200-meters remaining en route to a winning time of 16:01.20.