HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS : Goucher, Davis Are Winners

Adam Goucher of Doherty High in Colorado Springs recorded the fastest winning boys’ time in seven years and Erin Davis of Saratoga Springs Junior High in New York became the first ninth-grader to win the girls’ title in the Foot Locker national cross-country championships Saturday at Morley Field.

Goucher, who finished 15th last year, broke away with Mebrahtom Keflezighi of San Diego High after two miles. The seniors ran shoulder to shoulder until the top of the second--and final--major hill on the 5,000-meter course, where Goucher gained a small lead that he expanded to the finish.

Goucher won in 14 minutes 41.7 seconds, the fastest time since San Diego High’s Marc Davis ran 14:38 in 1986. Keflezighi, who is planning to attend UCLA next fall, was second in 14:53.

Davis trailed Melissa Lucas of Jesuit High in Beaverton, Ore., by seven seconds at the two-mile mark, but gradually whittled away the West regional champion’s lead before surging past her with 200 meters left.

Davis was timed in 17:11.8, Lucas in 17:14.5, the closest finish in the meet’s 15-year history.