6. Caitlyn Niendick - Wellington-Napoleon, SR
PR - 2:30.26
Niendick went for all in 2017, but ran out of gas on the second lap. She still took 7th in 2:30.26, a 5 second personal best. With a front-running mentality and no fear on the big stage, Niendick is a top 5 caliber talent with the potential for even more.
5. Emma Derr - Mound City, JR
PR - 2:27.39 (2016)
Emma Derr came on strong at the end of the season to take 2nd in Class 1 Cross Country. She is an 800/1600 specialist as she was 6th in this race in 2016 and was 7th in the 1600 in 2017. She boasts a 5:36.86 best in that and has not been under 2:30 since her freshman year at state. She is also a top 5 talent, but showed this fall that she can get the job done on the big stage, too. Watch out for this Mound City junior on the final stretch.