Sports

Rocha Ready to Run at Foot Locker Northeast Championships

Peabody's Catarina Rocha will compete in her third regional championship Saturday with some of the best high school cross country runners in the northeast.

One last time, Catarina Rocha laces up her racing shoes for the northeast regional Foot Locker Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

The Peabody High senior will make her third appearance in as many years at the Foot Locker race since first deciding to trade in her soccer cleats for a pair of running spikes.

Rocha turned in an impressive 8th place finish in 18:28 in 2010 and then outdid herself last fall, taking 3rd in 18:20.

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Rocha just won her second straight Massachusetts title for cross country last Saturday.

The Foot Locker 5K race, which features some of the best high school cross country runners in the northeast, takes place in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx section of New York.

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The girls' seeded race starts at noon on Saturday.

The top 10 boys and top 10 girls in the seeded races then advance to the national finals in San Diego. Barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances, Rocha will also make her third consecutive trip to Balboa Park on Dec. 8.

Last year she placed 7th overall (17:38) and 31st overall (18:34) in 2010.

You can find more information for race day results and photos at www.footlockercc.com.


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