Girls
The Chase Pack
Natalie Barnard - Lafayette Wildwood
The younger Barnard has finished no worse than fifth in all eight meets in which she's run. She has a win at the Festus Bowles Invitational and three runner-up performances at the FZN Invitational, Parkway West Invitational, and STL Suburban Conference Championship. Her biggest performance so far, though, was the 18:27.20 personal best she dropped for third at the Gans Creek Classic behind only Carolyn Ford and Julia Ray. It was the key to Lafayette's 1-point runner up finish as a team. On Friday, she was fourth at the District 1 meet in fourth sub-19:00 performance. She will certainly find herself near the front as she appears to be unafraid of running there at this point. (edited)
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Ashlyn Smith - Raymore-Peculiar
Three wins in a row heading into the grand finale has Ashlyn Smith ready to turn some heads in Columbia. She's coming off a District 2 victory, an impressive victory over KC's finest in the Suburban Gold Conference, and another win at the Haskell Invite in Kansas. She also has a runner-up finish at her home meet to her name and a 6th place finish in the Gans Creek Classic's Gold Division. She has yet to improve upon the 18:34.90 mark which earned her 8th in 2020, but the 18:35.19 at her conference meet says she's ready to steamroll that personal best this weekend. Watch for Smith to be the key lowstick for a team title contender as she competes for a top 5 individual finish.
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Another one who's peaking at the right time, Adrienne Luna is looking very strong heading into the Class 5 Championship. She posted a runner-up finish in her personal best 18:27.80 on Saturday, just behind individual title contender Josie Baker, and has finished no worse than third in every race since the Forest Park XC Festival. She's going to be a strong lowstick for her Chargers squad and could even be usurped by freshman phenom Mary McKenzie or her sister Maria, which is great for Coach Helbig's squad. Watch for a Cor Jesu jersey or two...or three...near the front on Friday.
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Gracie Jacobs - St. Teresa's Academy
St. Teresa's top dog this year is Gracie Jacobs (even though freshman stud Wynn Generally isn't too far behind). She has key wins at the Kris Solsberg Invitational and Kearney Invitational to go along with an 18:43.80 personal best from the Olathe Twilight. She was 99th at state last year but the jump she's made this year has her as a contender for the top 10. Watch for this St. Teresa's Star to continue their stellar tradition on Friday.
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Already mentioned with her teammate Adie Luna, Mary McKenzie's rise to the upper echelon of Class 5 girls has been fun to watch. Saturday's third place performance in 18:30.40 has everyone wondering just how high Cor Jesu's top 3 can land now. McKenzie has consistently been in the mix with those Luna sisters who finished 19th and 24th at last year's state meet and should be higher this year. She has two runner-ups and three 3rd place finishes to go along with her three marks at 19:00 or better this year. It could be 3 Chargers in the top 20 as they look for their first state championship in school history.