Class 1 Girls Preview
The Contenders
Mackenzie Weis, Midway, SR
Last Year: 1st, 19:24
Best – 19:37, AVG: 20:14
Weis is the real deal as she has finished 6th, 2nd, and 1st in her three years at the State XC meet so far. While she has not PR’d this year, she has only lost one race the entire season. She did get her season best this past weekend at districts where she won by two minutes with a time of 19:37. She appears to be ready to defend her title and help her team get back on the podium as well.
Savannah Beaver, College Heights, JR
Last Year: 7th, 20:30
Best – 19:38, AVG – 20:57
Beaver might not have always ran the fastest times this year, but she has been getting the wins which is the important thing. She only has two loses this season which were both at bigger meets. She has consistently run sub 20 minutes and with two All-State performances all ready, she will certainly be in the front of the pack again this weekend.
(Photo Credit: Mary Pyles)
Lexi McNiel, Plato, FR
Last Year: Was not in HS
Best – 20:12, AVG – 20:23
While McNiel is only a freshman, she has shown poise and determination this season. She won her district meet by over 2 minutes and helped her team get a perfect score. In her three meets that we have she has yet to lose and has looked stronger every meet. She will certainly be a factor come Saturday morning.
Addie Mengwasser, Chamois, SR
Last Year: 11th, 20:50
Best – 20:27, AVG – 20:48
Mengwasser has placed well in every meet this year including a win this past weekend at her district meet. She has experience, as she is one of the top returners from last years field. She has run faster in all of her meets comparatively to last year so a high finish could be in store for Mengwasser.
(Photo Credit: Chris Auckley, motrackfanatic.blogspot.com)
Kolleen Gladden, College Heights, SO
Last Year: 3rd, 21:08
Best – 20:44, AVG – 22:16
Gladden had a fantastic state meet as a freshman. She hasn’t quite had the year she had last year but she still has the experience of finishing in the top three. She has been behind her teammate, Savannah Beaver, but she has it in her to be one of the best in Class 1.
Kayla Dawkins, South Shelby, FR
Last Year: Was not in HS
Best – 20:10, AVG – 20:51
Dawkins is coming off of an easy win at her district meet, winning by a margin of over 40 seconds. She has shown that she can be in the mix all season and despite being a freshman should be vying for a top spot.
Hannah Olson, St. Joseph Christian, JR
Last Year: 21st, 22:20
Best – 20:26, AVG – 21:06
Olson is coming in off of a fairly strong season but this past weekend was a good indicator of where she is at. She ran a minute faster than Lacy Kirkland’s time last year at her district and Kirkland went on to finish 8th. This year she beat Kirkland by about 45 seconds. Olson should be ready to go this weekend and contend for a top five finish.
(Photo Credit: Mary Pyles)
Sarah Kurpjuweit, Humansville, SO
Last Year: 57th, 23:35
Best – 20:44, AVG – 21:15
Kurpjeweit split the College Heights girls this past weekend at districts. She has run well all season with a win and multiple top five finishes. State XC last year was not her best run, but she should dramatically improve on her performance last year.
Maria Weimer, Salisbury, SO
Last Year: Did not Compete
Best – 20:48, Last – 21:38
Weimer has come in to form this past bit PR’ing at the beginning of the month. She has consistently been behind district rival, Kayla Dawkins, but has still had a good season for a Class 1 girl.
Ryleigh Reagan, Dekalb, FR
Last Year: Not in HS
Best - 21:13, AVG – 21:41
Reagan was second behind Olson, but well ahead of top-ten finisher Lacy Kirkland at districts. She has shown that she can compete with the best of them in Class 1 and should have a great finish her first her of XC.