6. Makenzie Stucker - Raymore-Peculiar, JR
PR - 11:32.03
Stucker is not the 8th fastest returner objectively, but her breakout cross country season this past fall moves her up to 6th in our preseason rankings. Stucker was a major key to Ray-Pec's runner-up team finish this fall as she broke 19:00 5 times this fall, running 18:24.70 (~11:52 for 2 miles), and finishing 8th overall in Class 4. She did not make it out in the 3200 this season, but she ran 5:12 in the 1600 this spring for 9th at state and also split 2:23 on the Panthers' 4th place 4x800 team.
5. Tessa Valdivia - Blue Springs, JR
PR - 11:13.18
Valdivia continues to quietly lurk in Kansas City and could soon be the name on everyone's lips, considering she is a junior. She was 6th last year in this race and 4th in the 6-lap 1600, running 5:06.31. Valdivia dropped an 18:29 5K this fall and even took 6th at the Class 4 state meet (18:57.47). Her range is solid - 2:24 open 800 personal best - and her cross country season was stellar. Watch out for Valdivia to push for something even better than 5th this spring.