Aislinn Ryan
12/11/2005
Aislinn Ryan of Warwick came up short in her bid to repeat as a national champion, finishing third yesterday at the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship at Balboa Park in San Diego.

Ryan, who last month won her first state public high school championship, completed the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 34 seconds, just three seconds slower than last year but 29 seconds behind winner Jordan Hasay, a freshman from Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Ryan, a senior, held the lead after the first mile. At the 1.5-mile mark, Hasay made a quick surge and was neck and neck with Ryan before taking a minimal lead.

The second mile saw Hasay take a 40-meter lead on the pack of 40 runners, winning in 17:05.

This was the third year that Ryan had qualified for the prestigious event. She was 12th as a sophomore.

The 17:04 set by Hasay is the eighth fastest time ever at Balboa Park. Marie Lawrence of Reno, Nev., was second in 17:19. Lawrence was second to Ryan last year. Nicole Blood, Ryan's longtime rival from Saratoga, finished 28th in 18:21.

We salute Aislinn once again as BreakThru Athlete of the Week.
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