Monday, November 28, 2005

Banfich to nationals

Alex Banfich of Plymouth has earned the right to compete for yet another national cross country title.

Banfich, a sophomore at Culver Academy and this year’s Indiana high school girls state cross country champion, finished eighth at Saturday’s Foot Locker Midwest Regional in Kenosha, Wis.

By placing among the top10, Banfich qualifies for the Foot Locker National Championship meet in San Diego, Calif. on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Midwest Region includes Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin .

Banfich covered the snow-covered 5,000-meter (3.1 mile) course in 17:47.

She is the only Indiana girl to qualify for the national finals. She is also one of just two sophomores to advance from the Midwest region. All other qualifiers are juniors or seniors.

Behind Banfich, the next best Hoosier finisher was Northridge High School senior Megan Jackson, who placed 30^th in 18:29. Another Northridge runner, junior Jessie LaFree, finished 119^th.