Davison, Affolder run regional titles in NE

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

BRONX, N.Y. -- With an overly exuberant expression on her face, Madeleine Davison said even she didn't have herself winning on Saturday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park.

But when it was all said and done, the home-schooled turned college-course taking, unattached high school runner from Wexford, Pa. found herself the winner of the  Northeast Foot Locker Regional Cross Country Championships. 

"I didn't have me winning this race, honestly" Davison said laughing. "I wasn't even thinking. I was just sprinting as hard as I could and praying that my legs would hold up under me."

With a strong kick down the final straightaway, Davison crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 39.10 seconds to punch her second straight ticket to the Foot Locker Championships in San Diego, Calif. 

Runner-up went to Jessica Lawson of Corning, N.Y. in 17:41.50 and third was Maria Coffin of Annapolis, Md. (17:42.70). 

The top 10 runners, combined with the winners from the Midwest, West and South, will make up the the top 40 girls and boys at nationals on Dec. 12. 

"When I crossed the finish line, I couldn't even believe it," Davison explained. "It was just kind of surreal."

It's been a memorable year for Davison to say the least. The former North Allegheny runner elected to run unattached this season and taking college course at the University of Pittsburgh. It's a plan that has her racing less and focused on a more consistent training approach and better mindset. 

Entering Saturday, Davison had raced just four times. 

"Well, I think it's paid off an enormous way, honestly," Davison said. "It's kept me fresh for this race. It's been huge in so many ways." 

Davison said she just trusted in her training and stayed relaxed through the first mile, sitting in about 29-30th place. She was able to slowly move up, using the downhills to her advantage. She said when he got to the top of the last hill on the 5,000-meter course, she went for it. 

"Out of the woods, after the 800 mark, I was in third place," she said. "I heard one of my future coaches from Syracuse shouting that I could do it, I just started sprinting." 

Stanford-bound senior Hannah DeBalsi of Westport, Conn., runner-up last year, placed fourth (17:43.70) and punched her third straight ticket to San Diego.

DeBalsi led for a majority of the race and made a move to open the field, but was caught down the straightaway and passed.

"I'm glad I went for it," DeBalsi said. "It was the best thing to do to break open the race. I'm happy that I did. Compared to last year, I was faster today."

In the boys' race, it was junior Noah Affolder of Carthage, N.Y. winning in 15:23.90. "I went out in the front of the pack and it felt great," Affolder said.

Affolder, who place second at the New York Federation Championships last weekend, said he felt some pressure as one of the top names. 

"I saw that I was seeded second coming into it, and I just kept telling myself, 'Noah, tell them that they're wrong.' And thankfully I did that."

Like the girls race, Affolder led a fast and deep field that featured six runners under 15:31. 

Affolder said he felt smooth the first mile at around a 4:40 mile and was able to maintain that pace throughout the race.

"When I was coming down the straightaway, I just let the crowd carry me, and just gave the glory to God at the end, because He's the one that brought me here and allowed me to win," Affolder said. 

Runner-up was Jake Brophy of Central Bucks East, Pa. (15:27.20) and third was Conor Lundy of Fordham Prep, N.Y.

Lundy, whose school is two miles from Van Cortlandt and trains at the park daily, said the familiarity of the course helped on the big stage. He is the first runner from the CHSAA to qualify for Foot Locker since 2000.

"I think I knew the hills better than most people here, so it was definitely an advantage, especially since the race went out so fast," Lundy said. "I was just trying to finish hard toward the end and secure that spot."