South Dakota state cross country champion Tony Smoragiewicz continued to blaze his way toward the top of national cross country rankings by finishing third Saturday morning in the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship at Balboa Park in San Diego, California. Smoragiewicz crossed the finish line of the 5K race in 15:16, seventeen seconds behind perennial national champion Lukas Verzbicas, from suburban Chicago, who won the race at 14:59. Futsum Zeinasellassie of Indianapolis, came in second at 15:10.

“It was the best race I have run all year,” said Smoragiewicz. “I stayed towards the back of the pack for the first mile, and it made me a little nervous. There were only forty runners and I was in 35th place after the first mile. It was a narrow path and I was worried that I would have trouble passing people. But it was a two lap course and after the first lap I made my move.”

The top three finishers at the national championship were all from the Midwest Region.

“I’m really proud of how I’ve run this winter, but it puts a lot of pressure on me now for the upcoming track season.” Said Smorgiewicz.

Verzbicas also won the Nike National Championship last week in Portland, Oregon. Smoragiewicz finished 9^th.