JACKSONVILLE - Andrew Carlson (Bloomington, Minn.) captured his first national title as 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and defending women's champion Deena Kastor (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.), dominated the women's field at the 2008 USA 15 km Championships Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

Despite strong, gusty winds, Carlson took charge of the men's lead pack early, leading a group of nearly 20 men past the first mile in 4:47. Occasionally, Fasil Bizuneh (Flagstaff, Ariz.) and Reid Coolsaet (Canada) would take a brief turn at the front only to have Carlson take control again as Dan Browne (Portland, Ore.) and Brian Sell (Rochester Hills, Mich.) remained tucked in the pack.

Passing through 10 km just under 29 minutes, Carlson maintained control of the pace as Browne moved to his side. As the leaders started the long climb up the Hart Bridge towards the eight mile mark, Browne made an effort to break away from the pack. The move was enough to drop everyone except Carlson, who would answer with a move of his own, quickly putting ten meters on Browne.

At the finish inside Alltel Stadium, Carlson hit the line in 44:12, nine seconds ahead of Browne. Coolsaet finished third overall in 44:25 while Bizuneh took third in the championship division in 44:29. Brian Sell and Jason Hartmann (Springfield, Ore.) rounded out the top five in 44:47 and 44:57 respectively.