HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY : Heffernan, White Avenge ’91 Runs

Brendan Heffernan and Amanda White, both of whom faded badly in the final mile last year, won the boys’ and girls’ titles at the Kinney national cross-country championships at Morley Field on Saturday.

Heffernan, a senior from North Hunterdon High in Glen Gardner, N.J., timed 15 minutes 13.4 seconds over the 5,000-meter course.

As a junior, Heffernan was in second place at the two-mile mark, but finished 10th.

White, a senior from Dulaney High in Cockeysville, Md., ran 17:34.1.

Although she was second last year, White was blown away in the final 800 meters by Liz Mueller of Waterford (Conn.) High.

Heffernan did not take the lead Saturday until about 800 meters remained, but when he made his move up the second of two hills on the course, it was decisive and left previous leader Josh Ritchie of Walsh Jesuit High in Tallmadge, Ohio, reeling.

Senior Greg Jimmerson of Stevens High in Rapid City, S.D., finished second in 15:17.9.

Junior Jaime Martinez of Orange was the top finisher from the Southland, placing 10th in 15:40.4.

White, the daughter of former NFL linebacker Stan White, shared the lead at the mile mark (5:17) with Milena Glusac of Fallbrook and Becki Wells of Dickinson (N.D.) High.

White had a four-second lead over Glusac at the two-mile mark (11:12), but she did not put the race away until the final hill.

Glusac, a senior, finished second in 17:38.1. Agoura sophomore Amy Skieresz ran a well-paced race to place third in 17:42.1.