Foot Locker

Rockford's Kalin Toedebusch (35) &
Teammate Linsey Blaisdell at the
2000 Foot Locker Championships!

-photo by John Brabbs , RMDC -

GIRLS H.S. CHAMPIONSHIP
December 9th, 2000

Interviews and Photos by John Brabbs

Orlando, FL : Foot Locker and Adidas put on a great event, which highlighted the next generation of U.S. distance running. These young women are showing that they can add excitement to any race. Sara Bei of Santa Rose, California and Anita Siraki made the 2000 Cross Country Championships come down to the wire. Bei edged Siraki in the last few meters to win in a time of 16:55. After the race Bei said, "I questioned myself when I was in last place for the first 3/4 of a mile." This was a sweet victory for Bei who also ran at the Foot Locker championships as a freshmen and sophomore in 1997 and 1998, but failed to qualify in 1999 when she placed 10th at the West Regional. Bei knew she had put the miles in this fall and said "my confidence is in my own running." Bei knew if it came down to a kick, she would be ready.

The West easily took the team championship with the 1, 2, 3 finish of Bei, Siraki and Utah's Laura Zeigle with the score of 19 points to the Midwest's 57.

An excited and happy Kalin Toedebusch capped off an amazing Cross Country career at Rockford High School with her 5th place finish. After her 5th place finish at the Midwest regional a week before, Kalin showed that Villanova will be glad to have her on their team next fall. The senior, who will be off to Villanova next fall, ran a time of 17:32 and finished first on the Midwest team. Kalin ran an incredible race; similar to Bei she started out near the back, but knew when it was time to pick up the pace. Kalin's high school team mate Linsey Blaisdell placed 16th in 17:54. Together this season Kalin and Linsey have traded off as the number one runners for the best High School team in the nation, Rockford. Kalin and Linsey helped propel their team to another Michigan High School state championship back in November.

The four time Division 1 (Class A) Michigan High School individual champion Kathryn Boyles finished in 10th place in a time of 17:39. Kathryn, who is still undecided on where she will run next fall, was excited about ending her high school career as the 10th best runner in the nation.