Kenyan Teenage Phenom Runner From New Jersey Wins The National Footlocker Championship Race

Edward Cheserek and Fustum Zeinasellassie were locked in a classic duel as the two distance titans ran shoulder-to-shoulder and matched surges in an epic battle at Saturday's 33rd Foot Locker National Championships at Balboa Park.

With 200 meters to go it was still anyone's race. But then Cheserek, a junior at St. Benedict's Prep of Newark, threw it into another gear and unleashed a furious kick down the final straightaway, holding off Zeinasellassie to cross the line first in 14:52, tied for No. 11 in course history, completing the greatest boys cross-country season in New Jersey history.

The previously undefeated Zeinasellassie, a senior from North Central High School in Indianapolis, was a few meters behind in second in 14:53 as the two African-born runners tied for the second-closest finish in meet history.

The Kenyan-born Cheserek, who finished an unbeaten season, is the second boy from New Jersey to win the prestigious national title, joining 1992 winner Brendan Heffernan of North Hunterdon. Cheserek's time was the fastest run by a New Jerseyan on the course, which has been used for 26 of the 33 Foot Locker finals.

``I was very confident the whole race that I could win at the end because my speed was my advantage,'' Cheserek, who ran the final 800 meters in 1:54, said. ``When I started to kick with 200 meters to go I knew I could stay in front of him. It was a great race and I am happy to beat a great runner like Futsum.''

Zeinasellaisse, born in Eritrea, made a bid to win the race with a strong move up a big hill with about a half-mile left as he opened a two-meter lead on Cheserek. But Cheserek countered with a dramatic move of his own as he sprinted to the top of the hill and regained the lead.

``I knew if I wanted to win I had to respond whenever he made a move and then finish faster than I ever have before,'' Cheserek said.

It was the first time all season that Cheserek was pressed. His previous closest race was at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional two weeks ago when he won by 25 seconds.

``I liked having the competition,'' said Cheserek, the 5-K champion at the New Balance Nationals last June and the runner-up at the Nike Cross Nationals last year. ``It makes winning mean even more when you have to battle with someone the whole way.''

Cheserek, who broke course records in each of his previous seven races this season, said Reuben Reina's course record of 14:36, set in 1985, wasn't on his mind.

``Today was all about running to win,'' he said.

Cheserek ran 4:52 for the first mile, 4:53 for the second mile and 5:07 for the last 1.1 miles. After one mile he was four seconds behind the leader, C.J. Albertson of Fresno, Calif.

`I just chilled in that first mile," Cheserek said. "I wanted to be patient and then pick it up. Next year I will try for the record here and maybe I can get it.''

Zeinasellassie, who won the Nike National title last week and was also the runner-up here last year, was gracious in defeat.

``I tried everything I could to win, but every time I made a surge he responded,'' Zeinasellassie said. ``I tried to get ahead before the last downhill because I know he has great speed, but he was too strong and I couldn't get past him. In the end it came down to a kick, and he was faster than me. I am proud of how I raced and I am happy for Edward. He's a great champion and deserved to win.''

Cheserek was one of five New Jersey runners competing.

Senior Tim Ball of Piscataway capped his memorable season with a 16th-place finish in the boys' race in 15:33. Senior Blake Udland of Millburn had an off-day for him and placed 40th in 16:54.

In the girls' race, senior Holly Bischof of Bishop Eustace, the NJSIAA Meet of Champions winner who has battled through shin splints and a sore hip this season, finished 28th in 18:18. Senior Caroline Kellner of West Windsor-Plainsboro South was 36th in 18:33.

Source: http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/boyscrosscountry/index.ssf/2011/12/edward_cheserek_of_st_benedicts_prep_wins_foot_locker_national_boys_cross-country_championship.html