NEW YORK — Methuen senior Mike O’Donnell’s finishing kick didn’t fail him yesterday, but it wasn’t quite enough to save him.
Running in the Foot Locker Northeast Regional at Van Cortlandt Park, with a goal of finishing in the top 10 to earn a berth in next month’s nationals in San Diego, O’Donnell approached the final 600 yards in the top 15. He passed several runners, but came one runner shy of advancing, finishing 11th in 15:54 on the challenging 5K course, just three seconds behind Austin Podel of Columbus, Pa. in 10th.
“I gave it my all, so I can’t be too disappointed,” said O’Donnell. “All the guys in front of me were there fair and square.
“I got out to a good start, but I might have gone out too fast and used up too much energy. The middle of the race was tough and it was hard to keep up.”
Nevertheless, O’Donnell’s finish was the best-ever for a Methuen runner and it capped a tremendous postseason in which he captured the Eastern Mass. Division 1 race and finished second in the Division 1 All-State meet.
The winner of the All-State Meet, Jonathan Green of St. John’s of Shrewsbury, finished second yesterday in 15:36, trailing just Edward Cheserek of St. Benedict’s Prep of Newark, N.J., who was clocked in 15:21 and was the defending champion. He is also the defending national Foot Locker champ.
In the girls race, Peabody’s Catarina Rocha bested the field, winning in 17:50, 18 seconds better than runner-up Megan Curham of Warren, N.J. Rocha, who qualified for nationals for the third straight year, was in second place for much of the race, but she made a move at the 2-mile mark and then pulled away.
As a junior, Rocha was third at the regional and came in seventh at nationals. She also set a Division 1 record in the mile last spring, running a 4:50.58, and will contend for the top spot in San Diego.
Coming in fifth place was Phillips Academy sophomore Anoush Shehadeh of Larchmont, N.Y., with a fine time of 18:15.0. Shehadeh had been undefeated until yesterday.
The second finisher from Massachusetts, Acton’s Christime Davis, came in 19th in 19:06.3, while sophomore Shannon Murdock of Exeter was the top finisher from New Hampshire, in 32nd.
Who has to step up in Utley's absence?
Lazor on who has the upper hand for the Eagles' starting QB job
How much of a concern is Utley's injury?
Davis discusses 'retraining' Cole and Graham in the new system
Gunn and Mosher on the Eagles' defensive scheme and Barkley's arm strength
Briere thinks Bryzgalov wants to remain a Flyer
Briere shares his thoughts on Voracek's car accident
Does Briere have a career in broadcasting after hockey?
Gonzalez on Eagles' talk about the QB race: 'These guys are awful cryptic'
Corbett's view on NCAA lawsuit gaining supporters
Should the Sixers draft Cody Zeller?
Is Utley on the verge of going on the DL?
DeSean Jackson on Chip Kelly's new system
South Jersey native Frank Vogel is ready to face the Heat
Luukko: 'Bryz certainly wasn't the reason we had a disappointing season'
Blame shouldn't all fall on Manuel
Amaro 'not concerned' with Hamels not talking to media
Jawarski and if Chip Kelly's system can work in the NFL
Why was DeSean Jackson tweeting about pot?
Did the NCAA violate antitrust laws with PSU sanctions?
Sportsnet Central: Rangers state of mind
Felger & Mazz: Is it reasonable to start worrying about WIll Middlebrooks?
Felger & Mazz: Caller challenges Felger & Mazz
Sportsnet Central: Tedy Bruschi selected for Patriots Hall of Fame
Rask: 4th line deserved GW goal
Paille on GW goal: 'I had a perfect view on it'
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
Bruins' defenseman Wade Redden On Potential Return
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
Kevin Dupont discusses Bruins-Rangers Game 2
Globe 10.0: Is Lundqvist the key to the series?
Blakely: Rivers to return to Celtics next season
Globe 10.0: Do the Sox rely too much on Lester and Buchholz?
Bruins Talk About Rangers Blocking Shots
Bruins' Patrice Bergeron On Selke Award, Matchup With Rangers
Julien: 'I'm a tired coach'
Seguin: Thornton said he expected something from me in OT
Rask: 'It's really disappointing'
Julien: 'We've been a Jekyll and Hyde hockey club'
