Neither was able to grab that bonus at the end, but the efforts
were there at Saturday’s meet.
Ostberg, a senior from Darien, placed tenth overall with a
time of 15 minutes, 22 seconds. DeBalsi, the Staples’ junior, was fifth in her
race with a time of 17:33.0. The two runners each earned All-American status
based on their top-10 finish.
Ostberg, who has been dominate all season with impressive
victories at the Reebok Manhattan Invitational and the state and New England
Championships, wasn’t 100 percent entering the race, held at San Diego's Balboa Park. He has been dealing with a
stress fracture in his right femur since winning his NE title back on Nov. 8.
He has also been dealing with an illness the last few days.
“My coach and I had been talking and said if there was any
place I was going to struggle it would be the last mile,” Ostberg stated. “Eighty
percent of my training the last few weeks has been cross training.”
For the second straight year, Michigan’s Grant Fisher
captured the individual title. The Grand Blanc senior crossed the line in 15:03.0. Wisconsin’s Olin Hacker of Madison West was
second at 15:12.
“For the race, it went out like I thought it would,” he
said. “It was pretty fast. I was in the
lead at two miles and was where I wanted to be. The only thing that didn’t go
well, I wasn’t able to move when they moved. I did have a goal to be in
contention and possible win. But I am not disappointed. I had a top-10 finish
and I’m All American. There is not many that can say that.”
Unlike most of his victories this year, Ostberg had plenty
of company around him when he took charge
“It was definitely an adjustment to make,” he said. “It was
a great experience just to race with good competition. It taught me I have to
be aware of my surroundings. When I was getting tired there was like seven guys
right near me…But the thing I liked about today is I didn’t give up.”
The focus now for Ostberg is some much-needed rest to
prepare for the upcoming indoor track season.
“I am really happy to say that I had a top-10 finish,” he
said. “I’m going to take two weeks off. I am hoping two weeks will be enough to
let the bone completely heal. Right now, the next goal is to prepare for track.
I am not going to rush it.”
William Hall senior Ari Klou also manufactured a strong performance at the national meet by placing 22nd with a time of 15:52.
“The goal was I didn’t want to run too hard (during the
regular season),” she said. “I wanted to save that effort for Foot Locker. I’m
happy with my effort today. I gave it my all.”
Indiana’s Anna Rohrer of Mishawaka, a winner in 2012, won
her second title in the girls’ race with a time of 17:13. Finishing second was
Raven Frazier of Ravencroft, N.C., in 17:23.
While the lead pack went out hard, passing the opening mile
at just about 5:11, DeBalsi took the conservative approach at the beginning.
“The goal was not to go out with the leaders,” she said. “I
think a mile into the race I was in the middle of the pack. I felt good.”
The Staples’ runner still felt she had a shot for a possible
win with less than a mile remaining.
“I was getting closer to the leaders,” she said. “But when we
went up the last hill (about a quarter mile from the finish), I was completely
dead.”
New Fairfiield Prep senior Gabrielle Richichi was 16th with a time of 18:14.
