Campolindo's Toni Finnane leaves lasting impression in first cross country season

Former soccer talent has gone from under the radar in California to national spotlight with Foot Locker appearance

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Toni Finnane's journey to the Foot Locker National Championships is equal parts improbable, impressive and inspiring.

The Campolindo senior standout is among nine first-time finalists on the West girls roster competing at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Balboa Park's Morley Field in San Diego, including one of seven from California.

She is also a first-year varsity runner. Not just at Campolindo, but in cross country or track.

"A couple of months ago, I never could have imagined myself here. But now here I am living it up and it's been incredible," Finnane said. "It's been absolutely crazy."

After three years in the Cougars' soccer program, Finnane made the decision to run for a team that has won three California state titles and finished in the top three in its division 11 times in program history.

Earning a spot in the varsity lineup after the Cougars won the 2013 Division III state championship might have been a realistic goal for some of Campolindo's veteran runners this season.

Finnane, a Notre Dame commit, had greater expectations and loftier goals.

"She's been so consistent all year. She definitely deserves this," said senior Brighie Leach, who helped Campolindo win the North Coast Section title and finish second in the Division III state final in November.

"With every race, she continued to gain more confidence and become even stronger. I'm so proud of her."

Despite her limited racing experience, Finnane's strength, speed and competitive spirit helped her finish second to Las Lomas junior Chloe Hansel -- a Nike Cross Nationals finalist -- in both the section and state championship races.

Hansel prevailed in the Division III state final on the 5-kilometer course at Woodward Park in Fresno by a 17:34.2 to 17:34.9 margin to secure the final individual berth to race Dec. 6 at NXN in Oregon.

"I proved to myself that in that moment, I can push myself and finish that race," Finnane said. "Even though she got me by the littlest amount, just knowing I was that close to her and that I was able to push myself, it proved what I can do if I set my mind to it."

Finnane used the outcome of the state championship to fuel her Dec. 6 at the Foot Locker West Regionals at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Despite racing on the hilly 5-kilometer course for the first time, Finnane placed fifth in 18:14.8 to become the first Campolindo runner to advance to Foot Locker nationals since Carrie Verdon in 2010.

Leach was also in position to qualify entering the final mile of the regional race, but struggled with her breathing and finished 39th, resulting in Finnane running without her friend and training partner in Saturday's national championship.

"I wish Brighie could be here with me, but that's not the case. It will definitely be hard because it's going to be the first race in a while without her, but I'm glad we had the chance to come out (to regionals) and have this last race together," Finnane said. "She has been my rock through all of it. She's the reason I was able to come out, the reason I was able to stick with it, the reason I was able to push myself through every training and every race, I owe it to her. She's been the best teammate I could ever ask for.

"In every single aspect, she's the reason I'm here."

Finnane will be surrounded by several familiar faces from California, as she's joined by Division IV state champion Caroline Pietrzyk of Malibu and third-place finisher Lizzie Lacy of Menlo, along with South Torrance's Kimberly Coscia, who placed third in the Division III state final.

Citrus Valley's Claire Graves, Lynbrook's Grace Ling and Bella Vista's Kendall Derry -- also all-state honorees in their respective divisions -- will also compete for the West team, which includes Montana stars Makena Morley, Bryn Morley and Annie Hill.

"It will definitely be an awesome experience to create and build up that network of people who love running just like me," Finnane said. "Since I've only been at this a couple of months, just being able to hear other people's experiences and just experience a really awesome meet together with girls who love what I love doing is going to be incredible."

Finnane might be an unknown to the rest of the country when she steps on the starting line Saturday, but she has thrived in the underdog role all season and her debut in San Diego will be no different.

"I'm definitely just taking it all in and enjoying every single moment that I can because it's an incredible opportunity and I couldn't have imagined myself here just a couple of months ago," Finnane said. "I'm just living in the moment."