It was a battle between a Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals champion versus a winner of Nike Cross Country Nationals.
And it didn't disappoint.
Malibu (Ca.) High sophomore Claudia Lane, last year's winner at Foot Locker, made a big statement on Saturday, outkicking Grandview (Co.) High senior and University of California signee Brie Oakley, the NXN title holder, at the line in the 3200m at the Arcadia Invitational in California.
Lane pocketed a time of 9:57.52 while Oakley finished in 9:57.59. You can find Arcadia Invitational results here.
Lane didn't run over the indoor campaign as Oakley rung up a national record in the 5K at New Balance Nationals Indoor, becoming the first girl to run under 16 minutes. Oakley ran 15:55.75 to win a national title in March.
But Lane apparently wasn't far behind. The sophomore had been gearing up for the moment in a few small meets and then last week at the Stanford Invitational, where she went 4:47.73 in the 1-mile for a US No. 5 time -- Oakley, of course, owned a US No. 1 time of 4:46.97 after a performance at the Chandler Rotary Invitational in Arizona.
Will we see another matchup of Lane and Oakley? Let's at least hope so.
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