CROSS COUNTRY KIRKENDALL GOES OUT IN FAMILIAR FASHION.

Byline: Kirby Lee Staff Writer

Rosanna Kirkendall concluded her high school running career in a typical manner: in the lead. She set a course record to win the High Desert Runner's Club Summer Series cross country final.

The Lancaster High standout, who will run for Cal State Northridge this fall, covered the 3-mile course in 22 minutes, 36 seconds, shaving five seconds off the previous mark set last year by Cassie Ramirez.

The effort was gratifying for Kirkendall, who lost to Ramirez - a Highland High junior in the fall - in the Golden League cross country finals last November.

Kirkendall set the course record in 1998, but it lasted only a week before it was broken by Shell Blevins of Quartz Hill High. Ramirez broke Blevins' record the following year. Kirkendall's mark on the hilly course used for Lancaster's home meets was more than a minute faster than the 1998 Summer Series.

``I wanted the record,'' Kirkendall said. ``I wanted it to last a little longer this time.''

Kirkendall, a 1,600-meter finalist in the 1999 state track championships as a junior, has increased her training to 60 miles a week, an all-time high, in preparation for the collegiate cross country season.

On Sunday, Kirkendall logged 20 miles, five miles farther than her previous longest run. Kirkendall's endurance was a factor in the Summer Series final.

``The hills were difficult and I was breathing hard,'' Kirkendall said. ``As far as my legs and my strength, I could have gone forever distance- wise.''

Luis Monge, 21, a Palmdale graduate who attends Clayton State in Georgia, won the men's race in 19:04.

Last Wednesday's final culminated seven weeks of races. Competitors were required to run in three of the seven meets to be eligible for awards in the series, which began in 1976.

There is no entry fee, but donations are accepted to help cover race costs and awards. Proceeds are used for the High Desert Runner's Club Academic, Athletics and Attitude awards given to a male and female cross country runner at each area high school.

Kirkendall won her share of awards at Lancaster High, where she was the Golden League champion in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 as a junior and senior and school record-holder in the three events. Last fall, Kirkendall led the Lancaster girls to their first league cross country title.

A valedictorian with a 4.18 grade-point average, Kirkendall organized the Run Against Violence 5K run in April as part of her senior class project for her English and civics classes, raising money for the Valley Oasis domestic violence center.

At Northridge, Kirkendall, who was recruited by Long Beach State and USC, plans to run 800 through 5,000 meters.

Kirkendall has been consistent in her training over the last two months, aspiring to break into the Matadors' top seven this fall.

``It is hard to get out of bed early, especially when you don't feel too good, to run,'' Kirkendall said. ``As long as I write down what I am going to do and set a goal, I'll be OK. I think this is all going to pay off in the end.''

HIGH DESERT RUNNERS CLUB

Summer Series Cross Country

Final results(3 miles at Rancho Vista, Lancaster)

MEN

Overall: 1. Luis Monge 19:04; 2. Paul Sparks, 19:52; 3. Jose Melena 20:19

Age-group winners- (9-12): Steve Reid 24:15; (13-15): Paul Sparks 19:52; (16-18): B.J. Bookheimer 20:22; (19-29): Luis Monge 19:04; (30-39): Ed Esse 22:03; (40-49): Mark Hershey 22:35; (50-59): Steve Herrich 25:00

1-Mile fun run: 1. Josh Clark 5:38; 2. Michael Sundberg 5:47; 3. Ryan Rogers 5:56.

WOMEN

Overall: 1. Rosanna Kirkendall 22:36 (course record, old mark, Cassie Ramirez, 22:41, 1999); 2. Tarah Novelli 23:03; 3. Tiffanie Marley 23:16.

Age group winners- (9-12): Dena Maldonado 28:18; (13-15): Tarah Novelli 23:03; (16-18): Rosanna Kirkendall 22:36; (19-29): Jessica Harper 29:13; (30-39): Marci Cline 24:44; (40-49): Linda Rocha 28:42.

1-Mile fun run: 1. Jenna Novelli 6:53; 2. Rebecca Wilson 7:26; 3. Sara Ramirez 7:49.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Cal State Northridge-bound Rosanna Kirkendall set a course record to win the High Desert Runner's Club Summer Series cross country final.

Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News

Box: High Desert Runners Club (see text)