Wheeling’s Jorge Torres and Geneva’s Rebecca Mitchell proved last month they are Illinois’ fastest cross-country runners by winning their second consecutive state titles. On Saturday, they showed they belong among the nation’s finest.
Torres finished second in the boys’ race and Mitchell was third in the girls’ at the Foot Locker National Championships at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Both led a strong showing by Illinois runners. Six runners–three boys and three girls–from the state finished in the top 15 in their respective 5-kilometer races to earn All-American status.
“I’m happy with my finish,” said Torres, whose fifth-place showing last year was the best finish by a sophomore. “Second in the nation–that’s not too shabby.”
Torres’ time of 15 minutes 33.5 seconds was second to defending champion Abdirizak Mohamud of Boston, who won in 15:22.7. Mohamud and Torres battled most of the race in muddy and rainy conditions, but Mohamud pulled away with about 800 meters to go.
Jorge Torres’ twin brother, Ed, was sixth (15:48.6) and Fenton’s Chris Siemers 10th (15:53.2) among 32 boys runners. Jorge and Ed were the only underclassmen in the top six.
“I look at the positives,” Jorge Torres said. “I’m coming back as a senior, and I’ll be a heavy favorite to win it next year. Ed and I are going to work together to hold that 1-2 spot.”
Ed Torres, who was 23rd last year, was in last place through the first mile but remembered advice his brother gave him.
“Jorge started out in last place his freshman year but finished (13th),” he said. “He had told me to stay relaxed. After 2 1/2 miles, I made it to the top 10.”
Siemers called his finish “a breakthrough.” The junior was 13th at the state meet after a knee injury sidelined him for 10 weeks in the late summer and early fall.
“I always knew I could run with the best runners,” he said. “I get to come back next year and gun for the Torres brothers.”
Mitchell finished third (17:54.6) behind champion Erin Sullivan (17:22.0) of Vermont and runner-up Mariel Ettinger (17:51.1) of Oregon. Bloomington’s Christin Wurth was fourth (18:02.9) and Libertyville’s Jenny Arnold was 12th (18:31.4).
“I just wanted to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish,” Mitchell said. “Top three is great. That’s the fastest 5K race I’ve ever run. I was totally pleased.”
Though Mitchell is only a sophomore, she is a veteran of the sport compared with Arnold. Mitchell has been running cross country since junior high school; Arnold, a senior, joined the Libertyville team 16 months ago and made her debut in a national race Saturday.
“I’ve been training for only a year now, so I’m hoping there is room for improvement (in college),” Arnold said. “I ran with the best in the nation.
“If you know you can stick with them, you know you’re in good shape.”
