Redondo Union High School cross country standout Kayla Ferron wrapped up a stellar season and successful prep career Saturday competing against the nation’s top runners in the Footlocker National Championships in San Diego.
Ferron finished 38th, completing the 5K course in Balboa Park’s Morley Field in San Diego in 19 minutes, just eight seconds off her 10th place time at the West Regional that qualified her for the national championship.
The senior was the third California runner to place, finishing behind West Regional champion Marissa Williams, of Palisades Charter (8th, 17:43), and West runner-up Julia Maxwell of Branson (20th, 18:04) in Northern California.
“I had a pretty good race, but not super happy about my time,” Ferron said. “It was the last race in my high school career and I’m happy it was at the Footlocker National Championships. It’s been a long season and I’ve been running six weeks in a row. Some of the other girls I talked too had breaks after their high school seasons were over.”
Ferron said the field of elite runner was a bit intimidating, but she quickly got over the feeling.
“It was a little scary at first,” Ferron admitted. “I would look and say ‘Oh, there’s so and so,’ or ‘I know her.’ But it didn’t take long to feel as ease. I even roomed with the winner.”
Anna Rohrer, a sophomore from Mishawaka High School (IN) captured the girl’s championship with a time of 17:25.
Ferron continued to improve throughout the season, battling through mononucleosis and playing a vital role for the Sea Hawks’ cross country program. The girls team was ranked as high as No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 poll before reaching the CIF Divisional and State Championships where it finished sixth. Redondo’s boys team reached the podium with a third-place finish.
Ferron began the season with a 17-place finish at the Great Cow Run in Cerritos on Sept. 8 and placed fourth in the first Bay League meet. On Oct. 6, she placed sixth in the prestigious Clovis Invitational, completing the 5,000-meter course in 18:31.
Within a month, Ferron was on top of her game, claiming the Bay League Individual title with a time of 17:39 on the 3-mile course at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach.
Ferron finished ninth in the CIF Southern Section finals before recording an impressive sixth-place finish in the CIF State Division 2 Championships, completing the 5,000-meter course in 18:07.
“The whole season was a wild ride,” Ferron said. “Definitely coming to the Footlocker meet was a highlight and, individually, winning the Bay League was fun. But I think my favorite memory of the season was the State meet. The guy’s team did great and I was so happy for them.”
Ferron said she is looking forward to some time off before the track season. She will be competing in the 1,600, 800 and 4×4 relay for the Sea Hawks in the spring.
Although undecided where she will be attending college, Ferron said she has plenty of options.
“Coming here (Footlocker National Championships) has opened up some opportunities,” Ferron said after the race. “I met the Cal coach. I’ve also been interested in UCLA, University of Arizona and Iowa State. All are great running schools.”
