Individual Title Preview
Saskia Marlin of North Fork High School will see if she can better her 2nd place finish from last year at the state meet. Photo Credit: Jen Jardeleza.
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There are a handful of girls that could win the title in Class 2A, and it may not necessarily be the ones who have the fastest times from this season.
First, we have to start with our returning champion from last year, Taya Wren of Rangely High School. Wren had a little bit of a slow start to her season, but she also did place well in all of the meets she competed in, so though her times were not as fast during the first part of the fall, she was still competing and placing well. However, the past couple weeks, Wren has put together some strong races, including a 17:56 personal best time at the Warrior Lincoln Park Classic.
She also recently ran 18:45 to win her regional meet by almost a minute. Regardless of the time, Wren has also beaten the #2 ranked runner and the runner-up from last year's state meet Saskia Marlin of North Fork High School twice in the two meets mentioned above by a large margin, making her an easy one to pick to return as the individual champion.
Next on the list is Emma Lukens of Heritage Christian Academy, who has a personal best time of 18:44 which she ran at Desert Twilight. She also has a handful of other times under 19 minutes that she ran at altitude as well, including 18:46 in the first race of the season at the John Martin XC Invitational. Lukens has finished first in many of her races, so she has a very good shot at winning the individual title as well. She has been a little more consistent this season, but Wren will still be a tough adversary.
Finally, one other wild card could be Natasha Hessler of Ridgway High School. Hessler finished 6th a year ago at the state meet only as a freshman and has placed incredibly well in all of her races this season. She ran 18:47 at the Delta-Sweitzer Invitational at the end of September, which is currently her PR. Though her times have not been as fast throughout the season, she has finished well in front of many of the fields in those races. She also does not have any large races or any high profile meets on her schedule, meaning she could run a lot faster once put in a more competitive setting. She very well could make a run for the individual title as well.