Williams Is 24th at Nationals

When the long and grueling season finally came to an end, the first thing Marissa Williams sought to do was find shelter and thaw out.

After all, she has two City titles to defend in the spring and now, at last, she has time to rest, reflect on her accomplishments and bask in the glow of numerous victories. Competing in frigid conditions for the first time, on an unfamiliar course and against the strongest field she’d ever faced, the Palisades High junior still finished 24th out of 198 runners Saturday morning at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. Williams ran the 5K course at Portland Meadows in 18 minutes, 1.3 seconds.

“It was extremely windy and we had to jump over bales of hay four times, which I’ve never done before,” Williams said. “I twisted my ankle but it was numb anyway. I felt a lot less nerves this time, it was more like excitement. And yes, there was snow so now I can say I’ve seen it.”

Two-time champion Sarah Baxter of Simi Valley appeared to be on her way to victory — and an undefeated high school career — but she was overtaken in the final 350 meters by Alexa Efraimson from Washington, who won the race in 16:50.1. Elise Cranny of Colorado took second place and Baxter was third in 16:57.8. Fiona O’Keeffe of Davis, the only runner to beat Williams at the California state championships one week before, was fourth.

“I was pretty much in the same position the whole time,” Williams said. “I didn’t know where the course ended so I just focused on one girl ahead.”

The top 10 finishers were given trophies and watching the awards presentations gave Williams extra motivation for next year’s race.

“I got a look at them up close and I’d really like to get in the top 10 next time,” she admitted. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back but I really want that trophy for my night stand.”

A highlight of the trip for Williams was when Baxter complimented her at the post-event dance Saturday evening. “She said my moves were impeccable and that means a lot,” said Williams, who again ran with the Imagine Dragons song “Radioactive” playing over and over in her head.

Asked to reflect on a season in which she repeated as City Section champion and led her school to its first team title in 19 years, Williams was as matter-of-fact as she might be on an afternoon jog.

“I’m indifferent about it,” she said. “I feel last year’s times were slightly faster but there was also more pressure this year. I don’t really have goals [for track] except I really like the mile and I want to improve my time.”