SAN DIEGO, Ca. -- Elizabeth Leachman is one to learn from past experiences. 

On Saturday, she used last week's disappointing finish at Nike Cross Nationals -- the Texan finished 15th a week ago, despite leading through 4K -- to her advantage, surging ahead during the second half of her 5,000 meter race at Foot Locker Nationals to earn her first national cross country title in a time of 16:50.7. 

Leachman grabbed the lead over Rachel Forsyth into the second dog loop at Balboa Park and then extended it through the final two hills, gapping the field by 14 seconds. 

Lynchburg's (VA) Allie Zealand was second in 17:04.5, while Forsyth, the Ann Arbor Pioneer (MI) senior, was third in 17:08.3. 

Behind Leachman and Zealand, the South Region absolutely destroyed the competition, scoring 22 points and accumulating five finishes inside the top eight placements. 

Independence's (TN) Jayne Halterman was seventh and Flower Mound's (TX) Samantha Humphries was eighth in 17:44.5. 

Ruth White scored the Northeast's top finish in sixth (17:43.1), while La Jolla's (CA) Chiara Dailey -- a fan favorite who got the biggest ovation at the start line -- was 11th in 17:53.1.

Saturday's race was hosted through hot conditions which led to two DNFs. 

Related Links: 

Foot Locker Nationals meet page

Boys results