The Sophomore Girls to Watch this XC Season

Today's season preview article will include two defending state champions as we take a look at the sophomore girls to watch in the 2020 season.

Defending Class 4 State Champion Carolyn Ford of Rock Bridge took the state by storm last year, becoming the first freshman ever to win the Class 4 title. She'll look to become the first person ever to win the Class 5 title as well, and comes in a good position to do so. Her winning time at Gans Creek last year of 18:08 stands as the fastest returning time in all of Missouri heading into the season. She'll look to break the 18 minute barrier, and better her course record when she heads to state in the fall.

Julia Ray (MICDS) won a title of her own, as she crossed the finish line as the champion in Class 3. Her winning time of 18:13 is the third fastest returning time in Missouri as well. She wont be able to defend her title in Class 3, as MICDS will be making the move to Class 5 where she'll have to deal with Ford and Mya Trober (Blue Springs) for the top spot.

Other sophomores to keep an eye on this season includes Grace Tyson (Lafayette - Wildwood) who placed third in Class 4 with an 18:30. Klarie Brown (Kickapoo) was sixth in Class 4 and holds a personal best of 18:16. Finally, Adrienne Luna (Cor Jesu) was 18th in Class 4 with a time of 18:56.

The Fastest 100 Returning Sophomore Girls for the 2020 Season