Escobar, Mejia Go Nationwide on Saturday

When the starter’s pistol fires to begin the girls’ race at the national cross-country championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Saturday, senior Valerie Flores of San Pedro High will become the first runner from a City Section school to compete in the meet that began in 1979.

Ian Alsen of Granada Hills qualified for the national championships in 1987 when he won the West region title, but he didn’t run in the meet because the City championships were held the same day.

“One of my coaches told me about being the first runner from the City to make it to nationals,” said Flores, who has signed with UCLA and finished fifth at the West Region championships last weekend at Mt. San Antonio College. “But I didn’t have any idea about the history until then.”

Flores is one of five runners from Southern California who will compete.

The others are junior Anita Siraki of Glendale Hoover, the state Division I girls’ champion; senior Augie Escobar of Villa Park, the state Division II boys’ champion; senior Daniel Mejia of Katella, runner-up in the state Division I boys’ final; and senior Travis Laird of San Marcos near San Diego, the state Division I boys’ champion.

Siraki placed seventh at the West Region meet. Escobar, Mejia and Laird were fourth, fifth and sixth in the boys’ race.

Saturday’s meet includes the top eight finishers from the West, Midwest, Northeast and South regionals.

“I’m thinking top 15,” said Flores, winner of the last two City titles. “I’m still in shock that I’m going there.”