Class 3 Girls Qualifying Teams
Class 3 Girls Rematch
You know its going to be a good race when the entire top 5 and 7 of the top 10 finishers at State last year are returning this year. That includes last years wonder freshmen who are now super sophomores, Defending Champion Kylie Goldfarb, and Runner Up Mercedes Schroer. It looks like to me there are four real contenders for the state crown, Goldfarb (18:27), Schroer (19:08), Olivia Littleton (18:53), and Macy Schelp (19:10). On paper that 18:27 from Goldfarb make it looks like she's going to run away with it, but I think that's an outlier as she hasn't broken 19:30 anywhere else, including a 19:33 on the State Course in late September. Olivia Littleton has the next fastest with an 18:53, and she ran that at Rim Rock, along with an 18:59 at Missouri Southern, and a 19:00 at Ray-Pec so I'd say she's looking very strong heading in as well. We then have Schroer who ran 19:08 at McNair Park and has been 19:16 or faster in each of her last 4 meets, including a 19:12 on the State Course where she defeated Kylie Goldfarb. Macy Schelp has ran 19:10, and its the only time she's broken 20 this year but she did on a damp McNair Park a couple of weeks ago finishing just behind Schroer, so I think her lack of sub 20's is more based on a combination of course conditions, and lack of competition rather than anything else. With all that being said I'm taking Mercedes Schroer to win it all as she just doesn't seem to lose. Her only loss this year was to Ally Kruger on a warm day at Sioux Passage, and has never finished worse than 2nd in her high school career across track and cross country. I'm taking Olivia Littleton second as she seems the most consistent, followed by Goldfarb and Schelp.
Podium Contenders
The Bolivar Girls have pretty much been at the top of the rankings all year long. Coming into the weekend they have a 51-90 advantage over Smithville. While I think the Liberators will walk away with a State Championship I see it being a whole lot closer than what the virtual meet says. Though I think Bolivar will win, I'd don't think it would be too shocking for Smithville to pull off the upset. For third and forth I think we'll see at battle between Westminster, DeSoto, and Festus. I predict DeSoto takes third, followed by Westminster who is narrowly beats out Festus. I wouldn't be surprised though if Owensville sneaks in there as a Dark Horse.
For Full Class 3 Girls Rankings and Team Scores Click Here.