Running For Poland, Dudek Takes Fifth In Portugal

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Zofia Dudek, who is qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships on Saturday in San Diego, finished fifth Saturday in the U20 women's race at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal. 

Dudek, respresenting Poland, ran 14:22 for 4K, just behind fourth-place finisher Delia Sclabas of Switzerland, who also was credited with 14:22. Nadia Battocletti of Italy won the race in 13:58. 

For Dudek, it's an unusual lead-up to the Foot Locker finals. 

She won the Nike Cross Regional Midwest championship, breaking the 5K course record at LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind. Then, she finished second at the Foot Locker Midwest regional Nov. 30 in Kenosha, Wis. It was an improvement from 18th place one year earlier.