6. Gracie Livengood - Mid-Buchanan, JR
PR - 12:57.28 (2016)
Livengood's first two years were strong, but she experienced a bit of a downturn this past cross country season. Nevertheless, the Mid-Buchanan junior is one of only a few Class 2 returners to run under 13:00 and has also run 5:49 for 1600. A sub-13:00er deserves a place on this list regardless of how long it's been since that race was run and we are expecting a bounce-back from Livengood this spring.
5. Nora Ford - Penney, SO
PR - 12:47.72
Ford is the next in a long line of Hamilton Penney's strong distance running tradition of late, but she has had some bad luck in the early stages of her career so far. She took 9th in the 3200 last season as a freshman and then the dreaded 26th this past cross country season at the Class 2 state meet. She returns with a 12:47.72 personal best and has run 21:00 on the cross country course. Though she has yet to bring home an individual medal just yet, the 2018 track season should prove fruitful for the Penney sophomore.