Jenks runs 9th at nationals

SAN DIEGO -- Stephanie Jenks, a sophomore at Linn-Mar High School, placed ninth at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships on Saturday.Jenks finished the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 43 seconds. Tessa Barrett of Waverly, Md., was the winner in 17:16. Rebekah Topham of Griswold was 16th.Thomas Pollard of Gilbert was 13th in the boys race.Jenks was a state champion for Linn-Mar as a freshman. She did not run for the Lions this fall, instead competing for the swimming team and running unattached at several cross country meets.Because she ran in open college events this year, Jenks has forfeited her eligibility to run high school cross country in Iowa. She remains eligible to participate in swimming and track.