Post-West Regional comments from Zoe Nelson, Lindsay Flacks, Liza Pasciuto, Claire Rethmeier and Rachel Bryan
By Eric Richey

Zoe Nelson
Eric Richey caught up with defending Foot Locker National Champion Zoe Nelson of Kalispell, Montana immediately after she held off several challengers to win the Foot Locker West Regional for the second consecutive year, running 18:07 for 5k on the challenging and hilly Mt. SAC course.

On how the race unfolded:
"It was a little bit scary at first because I didn't get out as quickly as I wanted to, and people were falling around me, so I had to jump around them. After the first lap, I started to get near the lead and it wasn't so bad. It was a tougher race than I was used to. People kept passing me and the lead was exchanged a few times, which made me a little nervous. It went pretty well. I had a side ache the third mile and I have been having a lot of trouble with that lately, so I hope to have that under control by Nationals."

On whether winning the regional was a priority for her:
"I wanted to win, but I thought if someone was really close, I would just look to qualify and not totally push it only a week before Nationals."

On her confidence as she attempts to repeat as national champion next weekend:
"Yeah, I am hoping to win, but there's going to be a lot of competition again this year so it will be a tough race."

Lindsay Flacks
Lindsay Flacks, a senior from Calabasas, California, pulled off the surprise of the day in pushing Zoe Nelson to the wire. Flacks ultimately finished second in 18:09, two seconds behind Nelson. Flacks finished fourth, well off the leaders, in the Division III race at the California State Meet just one week prior.

On her surprising breakthrough:
"I was disappointed with my finish at State, but I was sick and I had a groin injury that was bothering me. It felt much better today. I had a lot of physical therapy this past week, which was great. Mt. SAC is my favorite course and I just love the hills, so I just came out here and ran my race."

On how the race developed:
"At the mile I was in 29th place, and at the 2-mile I was in 17th place, so I just gradually picked off one runner at a time and used the hills to my advantage. I really pushed it towards the end, and it worked."

On her goals for Nationals:
"I'm just looking to have fun. It's the icing on the cake for this season. I just hope to run well."

On her college plans:
"I haven't decided yet. I'm still considering all my options."

Liza Pasciuto
Liza Pasciuto, a senior from Murrieta, California finished sixth in 18:24 and will be making her second trip to the National Finals. Pasciuto also qualified for Nationals in 2000, as a freshman.

On how the race unfolded:
"It was a slower start than I anticipated. I thought we were going to go through the mile in under 5:15. I think I went through in 5:25. The pace wasn't as tough as I would have thought it would be. The race really began up the switchback hills."

On the most difficult part of the race:
"Well this is my 16th time running the Mt. SAC course. The hardest part for me is the back of Reservoir Hill (just after the two-mile mark). There are no supporters out there, so you just have to stay awake and keep on the top of your game. That's what I was able to do today."

On making it back to Foot Locker Nationals after falling short the last two years:
"It's an amazing feeling. When I made it as a freshman, I didn't realize the magnitude of it. Not making it the last two years was such a bummer. This year this has been my goal and my family's goal all season long, so we all did it today."

On her goals for Nationals:
"I had a lot of energy left today at the end of the race, which really amazed me. Next week I just want to run all-out. I don't have the stress of qualifying for anything, and it's my last cross country race in high school so I just want to leave it all out there."

On her college plans:
"I'm going to the University of Colorado - Boulder. I'm stoked about it."

Claire Rethmeier
Claire Rethmeier, a senior from Escondido, California, finished seventh in 18:27 and will be making her first trip to the National Finals.

On her goals and the race:
"My goal was to be top eight. I didn't really care what place, just as long as I was in the top eight. I went out pretty conservatively because I knew a lot of people go out too fast and you can catch them later in the race, but at the same time I knew I had to be close to the front, so I wouldn't lose touch with the top girls."

On her collapse on the track as she approached the finish line:
"I fell about 20m from the finish and I wasn't really thinking very much, I guess (laughs). I just fell and all the people were screaming at me to get up. I looked up and saw the finish line right there and I knew I was close, so I got up and dove across the line and fell again. Now (about 90 minutes after the race), I am feeling a lot better."

On running so close to home next weekend on her CIF Section course at Morley Field:
"It's my favorite course and being a hometown person, I'm sure there will be a lot of people there cheering for me. I'm just so excited. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Rachel Bryan
Rachel Bryan, a senior from Elk Grove, California, grabbed the final spot in the Nationals field by finishing eighth in 18:29. Bryan is a repeat qualifier; she finished 16th in San Diego in 2002. She ran what had to be the most courageous of this day as she was pulled down and trampled in the first 15 seconds of the race, yet managed to get up and work her way back into the top eight runners, despite asthma problems.

On her fall very early in the race:
"It happened in the first 75 meters of the race. Someone must have been falling and took me down with them. I saw hands on my back and then I saw grass. I did two somersaults and got trampled. Most of the field had already passed me, but my first thought was to get up as fast as I could and get to the front. So I went to the outside so no one would be in my way but that was really tough on my muscles."

On her difficulties later in the race:
"I have asthma, so after that crazy first mile, I was having an asthma attack and it stayed with me for the last two miles. Obviously, I was feeling pretty bad. For the last mile, I was kind of seeing black spots and I actually passed out for a few seconds at the finish and I was really disoriented when I came to. But I believe that things happen for a reason and things like this help to make you a better runner."

On her mental toughness to earn a trip back to Nationals:
"I didn't know if I was going to finish in the top eight, but I wanted it bad. I told myself, 'I didn't come here to feel sorry for myself.' Things happen and you just have to get over it and finish the best you can."

On how she felt physically after the race:
"I'm a little beat up, but I feel pretty good considering everything. I think finishing in the top eight helps."

On her goals for Nationals:
"I would really like to finish in the top 10. That's my biggest goal."

On her plans for college:
"I'm going to Tulane University in New Orleans, and I am really excited about it."