SAN DIEGO-2004 Olympic team members Shalane Flanagan (Pittsboro, N.C) and Dathan Ritzenhein (Eugene, Ore.) each scored convincing victories at the USA Cross Country Championships at Mission Bay Park in San Diego on Saturday.

Flanagan, fresh off a stint of altitude training in Mexico, cruised to a 70-second victory over runner-up Renee Metivier Bailie (Boulder, Colo.) over the eight-kilometer distance, running 25:26 under picture perfect conditions, with temperatures in the mid-60s.

Flanagan took matters into her own hands early, daring any of the runners in the field to go with her.

Following Metivier Bailie and earning spots on Team USA for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships were Emily Brown (Minneapolis, Minn.), who ran 26:37, followed a second later by Katie McGregor (Saint Louis Park, Minn.).