SAN DIEGO – Katie Thronson made a move in the final stretch to achieve her goal Saturday.

Thronson, a Lewis and Clark senior, placed 19th at the 39th annual Foot Locker Cross Country Championships at Balboa Park. Thronson finished the 5,000-meter race in 18 minutes, 26.9 seconds.

“I went into the race with a goal of finishing in the top 20,” said Thronson, who won the State 4A title last month. “In the final 100 meters, I snagged 19th. It was pretty hot and dusty out there, but I was able to stay hydrated.”

Racers competed in sunshine and temperatures reaching 63 at Morley Field.

“It went pretty well,” said Thronson, a Tennessee recruit. “I went a little harder than last year.

“It was a good end to my senior cross country season.”

Junior Claudia Lane of Malibu, California, defended her championship in 17:03.4. Sophomore Katelynne Hart of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, was runner-up, 19 seconds back.

Gonzaga Prep senior Turlan Morlan placed 37th in the boys 5,000 race in 16:38.8.

“It was my first time coming here,” Morlan said. “I started out near the back and kind of stayed that way. I regained my composure and caught a few kids going up some of the hills.”

Senior Dylan Jacobs of Orland Park, Illinois, topped the field in 15:19.7, holding off sophomore Graydon Morris (15:23.3) of Aledo, Texas.

Jacobs, who placed 11th last season, made his key move on the final big hill, fending off a late charge from Morris and John Tatter of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who took fourth.