By Kenny Cress / Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO - Jordan Hasay just went with the lead pack this time, and the strategy paid off for her.

Ditching the front runner role she took during the prep Foot Locker National Championships cross country race in December, the Mission Prep junior and Arroyo Grande resident ran with the other lead runners through four kilometers Saturday. Hasay pulled away shortly thereafter to win the 6K USATF Junior Women's Cross Country Nationals race in 20:32 at Mission Park.

Runner-up Alex Gits of Stanford ran 20:45. Emily Reese, running unattached, finished third in 21:26.

Hasay led after two miles at the Foot Locker Nationals last year. She wound up third.