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2018 Nike Cross Nationals � Girls PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
A repeat for Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland NY of a national championship has been in the cards ever since she stepped out of the finish area of last year’s Nike Cross Nationals race. There have been some tremors in the air ever since Tuohy did not run in her state’s section race due to a sore knee. She came back to win the Class A state title running 17:02 and winning by 18 seconds ahead of Saratoga Springs Kelsey Chmiel. Last week in the New York Regional, the margin was bigger for Tuohy as she ran 17:14 to win by 40 seconds ahead of Fayetteville-Manlius’ Claire Walters. The region race showed that Tuohy is ready to repeat as the NXN National Champion on Saturday. The field is loaded with three of the top four runners in last year’s race back. Katelynne Hart of Glenbard West IL finished fourth a year ago in Portland and then followed that up finishing second in San Diego. She is having a great junior season including running the second fastest time ever (15:59) on the fabled three-mile Detweiller Park Course in the Illinois 3A State Meet. She won the Midwest Regional title, then held back in last week’s muddy Foot Locker Midwest Regional finishing third in that race. Emily Covert of Washburn MN looked strong in winning ahead of Hart last week. She could challenge for a spot in the top five with three New York runners (Tuohy, Chmiel, and Walters) along with Hart challenging for one of those spots. Covert did not have her best race in this meet last year finishing 77th. A higher finish for her is probable. A fourth New York runner, Brooke Rauber of Tully NY, could be among the top 10 individuals. The sophomore finished sixth overall in 2017. Northwest region winner Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlins WY finished ninth last year and could be among the top 10 in this race along with Taylor Ewert of Beavercreek OH, Alex Morris of Naperville North IL, and Ericka VanderLende of Rockford MI. Texas runners Ashlyn Hillyard of Plano, London Culbreath of McKinley North, Allison Wilson of Montgomery, and Brynn Brown of Denton Guyer all could finish in the top 15. Keep an eye on Riley Chamberlain of Del Oro CA and Katrina Schlenker of Batavia IL who could be the top freshmen in this race. The team race is wide open with a pair of Illinois schools, Naperville North and Yorkville, along with Summit OR and Great Oak CA the four teams to keep an eye on in winning the national team title. Naperville North, finished second behind Fayetteville-Manlius last year, would like to take one step higher. Fayetteville-Manlius NY should have their national title streak end at four on Saturday. The team is still in this field having a great season to get to this point. Claremont CA, Wayzata MN, and Mountain Vista CO are three teams that could surprise and make a podium appearance.
Girls Teams 1 – Naperville North IL
Regional Top 7 – Alex Morris SR, Campbell Petersen SO, Claire Hill SR, Maggie Gamboa SO, Audrey Mendrys SO, Lucy Westlake FR, Megan Driscoll SR. Projected Team Score – 145 to 160 points Projected Top 5 Split – 70 to 80 seconds Notes – This could be the year for the Lady Huskies in this meet. North finished second in 2017 just five points behind Fayetteville-Manlius and have their eyes on the top spot. Alex Morris finished 12th in this race last year and appears to be peaking again at the right moment. The senior finished less than three seconds behind Katelynne Hart in the regional race after finishing 11 seconds back in the Illinois 3A State finals. Their pack behind Morris is the key.as it was only 10 seconds from second-runner Campbell Petersen and fifth runner Audrey Mendrys. Morris should be among the top 10 individuals in this race. Placing that pack between 28th (team) and 51st (team) could be the formula for Naperville North to come home with the national championship.
2 – Bend Summit OR
Regional Top 7 – Fiona Max JR, Teagan Knox FR, Azza Borovicka-Swanson JR, Kelsey Gripekoven SO, Isabel Max JR, Jasper Fievet SO, Stella Skovborg JR Projected Team Score – 158 to 173 points Projected Top 5 Split – 52 to 60 seconds Notes – Summit has been one of the top teams in the nation after a convincing win at the end of September at Nike Portland’s XC Invitational. They won easily at the Oregon 6A State Meet and came back to score only 54 points in winning the Northwest Regional. The Storm matches up closely to Naperville North. Fiona Max should be among the top 10 team runners and top 30 individually. A key to watch is their pack starting ahead of that of Naperville North’s Freshman Teagan Knox could be among the top 25 team runners. Their regional split on their second through fifth runners was 24 seconds. It was 26 seconds at state. Their top five in the first 45 team places could secure the national championship for Summit.
3 – Temecula Great Oak CA
State Top 7 – Tori Gaitan JR, Fatima Cortes SR, Audrey Dang JR, Aubrie Nex JR, Arianna Griffiths JR, Divine Torza FR, Brianna Weidler SO. Projected Team Score – 173 to 188 points Projected Top 5 Split – 63 to 75 seconds Notes – Strong running in the front could move the Wolfpack to the top of the podium in this race. Tori Gaitan should be among the top 20 individuals in this race with Fatima Cortes in the top 10 team runners. Their top five split at state was 104 seconds. It was 56 seconds in their section race. Their split behind possible third runner Arianna Griffiths to their fifth runner needs to stay at 20 seconds. The third runner needs to finish 40th or higher with their fifth runner finishing 65th (team) in order for Great Oak to get to the front of the pack.
4 – Yorkville IL
Regional Top 7 – Kailey Fox JR, Emily Eberhart SR, Helena Kleronomos SO, Hailey Simmons SO, Sara Klemm SO, Anna Hunter FR, Olivia Borowiak SR Projected Team Score – 174 to 189 points Projected Top 5 Split – 58 to 66 seconds Notes – The Lady Foxes only finished seven points behind Naperville North in the Illinois 3A State race a month ago. Yorkville does have the talent to challenge for the national title. They had an eye-opening experience when they ran on this course for the first time and finished 18th. Emily Eberhart, Kailey Fox, and Helena Kleronomos could all finish in the top 20 team places in this race. Hailey Simmons finished eight seconds behind Kleronomos in the regional race but finished 29 seconds behind the pack in the state race. Keeping 10 seconds behind the front pack will be beneficial. Their fifth runner will need to be closer to the pack. The 1/5 split was 64 seconds at state, 60 seconds in the regional race. If Yorkville can keep the split under 50 seconds on five, we could see them winning this meet.
5 – Claremont CA
State Top 7 – Maddie Coles FR, Azalea Segura-Mora JR, Sydney Hwang SR, Kalinda Reynolds SR, Julia Marriott SR, Angie Gushue SO, Haleigh Guerrero SR. Projected Team Score – 221 to 236 points Projected Top 5 Split – 55 to 62 seconds Notes – The Wolfpack could be in contention for a top five finish after winning the D2 state title last weekend. Maddie Coles moved to the team’s top spot in their win in October at the Manhattan Invitational. The freshman could be among the top 10 team finishers on Saturday. Claremont will need to keep their pack behind Coles within 24 seconds of her as well as staying within 24 seconds of each other. Five runners in the top 65 team places could be the formula to get this team into the top three.
6 – Plymouth Wayzata MN
Regional Top 7 – Emma Atkinson JR, Abbey Nechanicky 8, Caroline Sassan JR, Lauren McCollor SO, Grace Link SO, Rhynn Paulsen JR, Emelia Arnone SO. Projected Team Score – 241 to 256 points Projected Top 5 Split – 57 to 62 seconds Notes – The Trojans were the top ranked team at the beginning of the season. They are back near the front after a strong finish to the season which included winning the Heartland Regional title. Emma Atkinson has been the team’s top runner all season and could be among the top 15 team runners in this meet. Watch for the pack behind Atkinson led by eighth-grader Abbey Nechanicky. The split on the two through five runners in the regional race was 28 seconds and within 30 seconds of the front. Nechanicky needs to be within 20 seconds of her teammate. A pack of 25 seconds with five runners in the top 70 could place this team in the top five.
7 – Highlands Ranch Mountain Vista CO
Regional Top 7 – Sarah O’Sullivan JR, Madison Reed JR, Jenna Fitzsimmons JR, Caroline Eck SR, Shantell Hafner SO, Nina St. John SO, Makenna Anderson SR. Projected Team Score – 246 to 261 points Projected Top 5 Split – 63 to 73 seconds Notes – A team to keep an eye on this Saturday. The Golden Eagles finished sixth last year and are looking for a top five finish in this race. Jenna Fitzsimmons leads this squad and could be among the top 15 team finishers with Sarah O’Sullivan and Madison Reed close behind. This team has the experience and the talent to be in a surprise in the top three squads. Getting their top five in the top 60 team places could get Mountain Vista there.
8 – Saratoga Springs NY
Regional Top 7 – Kelsey Chmiel SR, Ella Kurto FR, McKinley Wheeler 8, Emily Bush 7, Sheridan Wheeler 8, Ciara Knott SR, Skyler Knott 8. Projected Team Score – 267 to 282 points Projected Top 5 Split – 120 to 131 seconds. Notes – An amazing team that could be a surprise in this meet. Kelsey Chmiel is one of two seniors in the top seven. The remaining runners are a freshman, three eighth-graders, and a seventh-grader. The five underclassmen have showed that they run more like seniors in helping their team win the Class A State and New York Regional titles. Chmiel will challenge for the individual title with freshman Ella Kurto a possibility in the top 15 team runners. Their three to five runners were separated by only 20 seconds last week. Moving the pack to within 30 seconds from 50 to Kurto moves this team up.
9 – Boise ID
Regional Top 7 – Maggie Liebich SR, Mikella Tobin FR, Eve Jensen SR, Rosina Machu SO, Molly Elliott JR, Mary Kate Bender JR, Jamie Hamlin FR. Projected Team Score – 271 to 286 points Projected Top 5 Split – 68 to 78 seconds Notes – Boise was among the top five national teams heading into the Northwest Regional. An “off” race placed them third in that race, but their resume was strong including a win over Great Oak to get them to the Nike Cross Nationals as an at-large invitee. Maggie Liebich has led the team all season and should be among the top 15 team runners in this race. The Braves ran an 85 second split on their top five in the regional race. It was only 70 seconds in the race at state. A 63 second split on five with a 40 second split from two to five could move this team close to the top five.
10 – Portland Jesuit OR
Regional Top 7 – Makenna Schumacher SR, Chloe Foerster FR, Elizabeth Rinck SR, Alexis Kebbe JR, Greta Anderson SR, Zoe Quach SO, Olivia Silenzi SO. Projected Team Score – 274 to 289 points Projected Top 5 Split – 75 to 81 seconds Notes – Jesuit ran their best race of the season finishing second at the Northwest Regional. A short trip to Glendoveer Golf Course will not be a problem for this Portland school as they could use the “home-course” advantage in their favor. McKenna Schumacher is having a great senior season leading this team. She could be among the top 20 team runners in this race. The team ran a 22 second split from Schumacher to fourth runner Alexis Kebbe in their regional race. A similar race could move this team up higher in the standings. Their five-runner regional split was 77 seconds. That needs to come under 60 seconds for a top 10 finish for this team.
11 – Vista Murrieta CA
State Top 7 – Devyn Candaele FR, Paige Haynes SR, Aniya Pretlow SO, Emily Bourque SO, Gaby Hubarth SR, Peyton Candaele SR, Makayla Fick JR. Projected Team Score – 279 to 294 points Projected Top 5 Split – 53 to 62 seconds Notes – Only three points separated Great Oak and Vista Murrieta in last week’s D1 State Meet. Another race like that could put this squad in surprise position, maybe in the top six teams. Devyn Candaele could be one of the top 10 team runners in this race. The team’s split on five last week was 54 seconds. Putting five runners in the top 70 could secure a surprise team finish.
12 – Fayetteville-Manlius NY
Regional Top 7 – Claire Walters JR, Phoebe White JR, Grace Kaercher SO, Hannah Kaercher 8, Chloe Bullough SR, Lejla Borcillo SO, Emily Cook SR. Projected Team Score – 279 to 294 points Projected Top 5 Split – 120 to 133 seconds. Notes – The four-year national championship streak by Fayetteville-Manlius should end on Saturday. Then again, there were some people that thought this team would not be back in this meet in 2018. Yet, here they are. Claire Walters should be among the top five individuals in this race. Fellow junior Phoebe White could be among the top 20 team finishers. Their pack could be back between 60th and 110th. Keep an eye on them in this race. Five returning next year could mean this team is right back in the front ready to start a new national streak.
13 – Niwot CO
Regional Top 7 – Taylor James SO, Samrawit Dishon JR, Maggie Smith SR, Joelle McDonald JR, Layla Roebke SR, Eva Klingbeil FR, Mallory Finley SR. Projected Team Score – 295 to 310 points Projected Top 5 Split – 60 to 66 seconds Notes – A team championship in the 4A State Meet and a third-place finish at the Southwest Regional was enough to catch the committee that selected them for one of four at-large teams. The Cougars still finished third at the regional race despite the fact that 4A state champion Layla Roebke was the team’s fifth runner. Roebke and Taylor James could be among the top 30 team runners. Their split on five was 62 and 64 seconds in their state and regional races. Keeping their five runners within 55 seconds or each other could move this squad closer to the top 10.
14 – Edina MN
Regional Top 7 – Margaret Wagner FR, Maria Rickman SR, Macy Iyer FR, Morgan Richter JR, Lauren Cossack 8, Madeline Lawler SR, Emma Hudson SO. Projected Team Score – 297 to 312 points Projected Top 5 Split – 25 to 33 seconds Notes – Edina bounced back from a third-place AA state race to finish second in the Heartland Regional moving this team for another repeat trip to Portland. This team has a tight pack led by freshman Margaret Wagner. Their state race had a 26 second split on their top five with Sadie Schreiner in the top five. Schreiner did not run in regionals when the team ran a 41 second split. She should be in the lineup on Saturday. Their pack starting around 35th to 40th place would be good with that small split. It could also move the Hornets among the top 12 teams in this meet.
15 – Liverpool NY
Regional Top 7 – Jenna Schulz JR, Madison Neuner SR, Sydney Carlson SO, Windsor Ardner SR, Emily Neuner SR, Gabby McCarthy SO, Isabella Brancato JR. Projected Team Score – 302 points to 317 points Projected Top 5 Split – 122 to 133 seconds Notes – The only team in this meet that did not run in a state meet. Liverpool finished one point behind Fayetteville-Manlius in their section race but bounced back to finish in third at the New York Regional to finish third and become selected as an at-large team. Jenna Schulz could be among the top 30 individuals in this race. She finished 19th overall last season. Madison Neuner could be among the top 50. Their team top five split off Schulz was 130 seconds in the regional race. Getting that split under 100 seconds could mean a rise in the standings. The Warriors cold finish anywhere from 10th to 15th in this meet.
16 – Minturn Battle Mountain CO
Regional Top 7 – Naomi Harding SR, Grace Johnson JR, Lizzy Harding SR, Elliot Pribramsky SO, Emma Reeder SO, Brogan Murray SR, Coco Diemar FR. Projected Team Score – 338 to 353 points Projected Top 5 Split – 49 to 56 seconds Notes – Battle Mountain surprised many last fall by finishing third overall in this meet. They started out slowly this fall but are peaking at the right time finishing second behind Niwot in their 4A State Meet and then coming back to finish ahead of Niwot in the regional race. Could they surprise again on Saturday? Naomi Harding and Grace Johnson were separated by only a second in the regional race with Lizzy Harding 20 seconds back. The team ran a 53 second split in five in the regional race. Their top three finishing among the top 60 with five in the top 80 could move this team back into the top 10.
17 – Lewisville Flower Mound TX
Regional Top 7 – Natalie Cook FR, Anastasiya Davis SR, Allison Buemi FR, Hannah McLaughlin SO, Allie Lyda SO, Emi Thomas JR, Mia Hoang SO. Projected Team Score – 351 to 366 points Projected Top 5 Split – 85 to 93 seconds Notes – Flower Mound has the strength in the front to move this team into the top 15. Their pack split needs to come down as well. Natalie Cook and Anastasiya Davis could be among the top 20 team runners. The team’s top five split in the regional race was 86 seconds. Cutting that split by 20 seconds would be a help in a top 15 finish for this team.
18 – Annandale North Hunterdon NJ
Regional Top 7 – Chloe Gonzalez JR, Emily Nugent SR, Elena DiMarcello SR, Alexandra Carlson SO, Addison Schmidt FR, Angela Kearsley SR, Magdalyn Hoffman SO. Projected Team Score – 371 to 386 points Projected Top 5 Splits – 102 to 106 seconds Notes – North Hunterdon looks to improve on last year’s 21st place team finish with another trip to Portland. Chloe Gonzalez and Emily Nugent finished within two seconds of each other in last week’s regional race placing second and third. Gonzalez could be among the top 10 team finishers. Nugent could be within that group. She did finish 41 seconds behind Gonzalez in the Meet of Champions race.
19 – Prosper TX
Regional Top 7 – Aubrey O’Connell FR, Tatum Castillo JR, Alexis Svoboda SO, Sadie Gonzales FR, Madison Christy SR, Emily Kern FR, Kirstin Towle SO. Projected Team Score – 387 to 400 points Projected Top 5 Split – 120 to 125 seconds Notes – Prosper finished third in the Texas 6A meet but bounced back to finish second in the South Regional securing a trip to Portland. Freshman Aubrey O’Connell has stepped up to lead this team. She could be among the top 20 individuals in this race. This team has consistently had a top five split over two minutes. The pack from two to five was 54 seconds in the regional race.
20 – Tallahassee Lawton Chiles FL
Regional Top 7 – Emily Culley SR, Caitlin Wilkey JR, Alyson Churchill JR, Lindsay James SO, Megan Churchill JR, Abby Schrobilgen SR, Olivia Miller SR. Projected Team Score – 410 to 420 points Projected Top 5 Split – 83 to 90 seconds Notes – Lawton Chiles followed up their 3A State win with a win last Saturday at the Southeast Region race. Emily Culley and Caitlin Wilkey finishing four seconds within each other helped seal the win with an 85 second top five split. Both runners could be among the top 35 team runners in this race.
21 – Blacksburg VA
Regional Top 7 – Kaitlynn Wolfe JR, Ailene Edwards SR, Audrey Link FR, Sophia Link SR, Grayson Lawrence JR, Mari Garza SO, Julia Lattimer SR. Projected Team Score – 470 to 480 points Projected Top 5 Split – 100 to 111 seconds Notes – Blacksburg ran back into the Nike Cross National field finishing second in the Southeast Regional. The Bruins achieved this after finishing second by four points behind Loudoun Valley two weeks prior in the 4A State race. Kaitlyn Wolfe and Ailene Edwards finished within nine seconds of each other in that race The Bruins ran a season’s best of 98 seconds on their top five in that race.
22 – Champlain Valley VT
Regional Top 7 – Alice Larson SO, Ella Whitman SR, Chloe Silverman FR, Catherine Noel SR, Alicia Veronneau SO, Sadie Holmes JR, Jasmine Nails FR. Projected Team Score – 500 to 508 points Projected Top 5 Split - 81 to 86 seconds Notes – Champlain Valley’s reward for a great season, including a state championship and winning the New England Championships, is a trip to the Nike Cross Nationals after finishing second in the Northeast Regional. Alice Larson has been the team’s top runner all season and could finish among the top 35 team runners in this race. More news |
