Jake Brophy became the highest PA finisher at Foot Locker Nationals since '99 (Photo by Jeff George)
Central Bucks East senior Jake Brophy completed his prolific cross country career Saturday with an eighth place finish at Foot Locker Nationals. The two-time AAA state champion and Foot Locker Nationals qualifier ran a time of 15:21 at Balboa Park in San Diego to earn All-American honors. Brophy was 25th at the race a year ago and improved 17 places and 37 seconds from his time on the course a year ago.
His eighth place finish is the best finish by a Pennsylvania boy at Foot Locker Nationals since 1999 when Council Rock's Danny Coval took seventh place (and one place ahead of US mile record holder, Alan Webb) when the race was held in Orlando, Florida. Brophy finishes out a great season, which saw him win his second straight AAA state crown at Hershey. He took second to New York's Noah Affolder at Foot Locker Northeast at Van Cortlandt Park. Brophy is committed to run at Navy next fall.
Drew Hunter of Virginia dominated the field in the race, pulling away early and claiming the win in 14:55.
Check out the full boys results from Foot Locker Nationals
On the girls' side, Madeleine Davison finished in 28th place. The homeschooled senior, who ran this season unattached, finished in a time of 18:24. Davison won Foot Locker Northeast two weeks ago after a regular season where she raced against mostly college competition. Davison, bound for Syracuse next year, was 40th place a year ago at Foot Locker Nationals.
Another Virginia runner, Weini Kelati won the girls' race. Kelati pulled ahead late in the race from Nevada Mareno and Maryjeanne Gilbert to claim the win in a time of 17:09
Watch Madeleine Davison's post-race interview with MileSplit below: