Girls
Kylie Goldfarb (John Burroughs)
Seeing as she's the defending State Champion in Class 3, it didn't take much thought to put her on this list. Her PR of 18:41 is the fastest returning time in Class 3 as well so she's got a lot going for her. She also had a dominate Track season, as she only lost once in ten attempts at 800m and 1600m. She was State Champion in the 800m, and her only loss was her runner up finish in the 1600m at State. Kylie will likely be the favorite heading into the State Meet this Fall.
Mercedes Schroer (O'Fallon Christian)
Finishing behind Goldfarb last year at State was Mercedes Schroer. Mercedes has the third fastest returning time in Class 3 with a 19:12 despite not running a whole lot of quick courses. Despite splitting time with soccer in the Spring, Mercedes still managed to win 19 of 20 races from 400m-3200m last year. Her only loss came at State the hands of Kylie Goldfarb in the 800m, but she had already given Goldfarb her only loss in the 1600m earlier in the day. Schroer was also the State Champion in the class 3 3200m. It'll be fun watching her match up with Goldfarb at State for the next 3 years.
Nautica Stricklin (Herculaneum)
As the bronze medalist from a year ago, Nautica will look to be back at the front of the field this year. She's placed in the top 5 in each of her first three seasons (5th in 2016 and 2017) so she has the all the experience she'll need. Her 19:22 PR is the fifth fastest returning time as well. In Track she picked up a State Medal in the Class 3 3200m placing 8th. Don't be surprised to see her running up front this fall.
Emily Enghauser (Herculaneum)
Enghauser placed 5th last year for Herculaneum at the State meet. In that race she was able to run a nice PR of 19:38. She was able to improve upon both her 1600m and 3200m times in the Spring, so she should be up for another fast season in XC.
Anna Bandy (Bolivar)
Anna has been All-State in each of the last two seasons for the Liberators. She placed 7th at the State Meet last year, and her Season best of 19:16 is the forth best returning time in Class 3. In Track she improved her 3200m time by nearly 30 second from 12:20 to 11:53. Look for her to keep improving this fall.
Lillian Cutler (Smithville)
Cutler didn't race a whole lot last year, but when she did she left an impression. She placed 9th last year at State and holds the 6th fastest returning time among freshman with a 19:58. She picked up two more State Medals on the Track this Spring with a 6th place finish in the 1600m (5:17) and a 7th place finish in the 3200m (11:46). Judging by that track record (no pun intended) she should be towards the front at State again this fall.
Malayna Briner (Savannah)
Malayna will look to add another State Medal to her name this Fall. Last year she placed 12th at State, and had a really strong finish to the Season overall. Her PR of 19:42 is the the 5th fastest returning time among sophomores as well. Look for her to put together another good season this year.
Melissa Wolk (Festus)
Melissa comes back this year for Festus after placing 13th at State a year ago. She holds a PR of 19:57, but she seems to be a good candidate to improve that this year. She PR'd in both the 1600m and 3200m during Track season, and if she can carry that momentum over to XC she should be able to earn another State Medal.