Abby Vanderkooi of Michigan comes home victorious in one of the deepest regional fields two years ago
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Key entrants: CO- Eva Klingbeil (Sr., Niwot), Mia Prok (So., Niwot); IL- Ava Parekh (Sr., Chicago Latin), Josephine Welin (Sr., Oak Park-River Forest), Brooke Johnston (Jr., Lake Zurich), Mary Grace Hegberg (Sr., St. Viator); IN- Sophia Kennedy (Jr., Park Tudor), Gretchen Farley (Jr., Park Tudor), Addison Knoblauch (So., Homestead); MI- Rachel Forsyth (So., Ann Arbor Pioneer), Arianne Olson (Jr., Holland West Ottawa), Julia Flynn (Sr., Traverse City Central), Lani Bloom (Sr., Ithaca), Helen Sachs); MN- Ali Weimer (Sr., St. Michael), Sydney Drevlow (Fr., Hopkins), Isabelle Schmitz (So., Hutchinson); MO- Grace Tyson (Sr., Wildwood), Julia Ray (Sr., MICDS); OH- Grace Hartman (Sr., Oakwood), Katie Clute (Jr., Olmstead Falls); SD- Ali Bainbridge (Jr., Sioux Falls Lincoln); WI- Lauren Pansegrau (Sr., Middleton), Isabela Ross (Sr., Oak Creek), Mackenzie Babcock (Fr., Monona Grove); KS- Anjali Hocker Singh (So., Olathe North)
Outlook: If this resurgent season is an indicator of what's to come, everyone in attendance should expect one of the best qualifying championships in Eastbay history.
Let's start with the reigning regional champion and third-place national placer (2019) senior Abby Vanderkooi of Michigan. Although Vanderkooi does not have the best returning time in the field, she does have a winning pedigree and timely finishes. Michigan is once against very strong and its best runner this season is Rachel Forsyth who very well could win the title. Forsyth is undefeated and came off of a big NXN MW win several weeks ago. Nationally ranked Arianne Olson had a rough time at the NXN MW with a 13th place finish. She will another opportunity to strut her true talent. Julia Flynn and Lani Bloom could also advance to nationals.
As Illinois' top overall runner, Ava Parkekh enters as one of the most consistent and dangerous runners in the country. Parekh strength has been her front running prowess (16:23 3m best and undefeated against state competition). Don't look for that to change on Saturday as she strives to earn her first national berth. Parekh will be flanked by strong foes Josie Welin, Brooke Johnston, and Mary Grace Hegberg. All of them will have a strong opportunity of advancing on.
Indiana's top runner Lily Cridge (Jr., Chatard) is not entered but four of the state's top five placers from the state meet are entered. Sophia Kennedy (daughter of Olympian Bob Kennedy) will lead the charge. Kennedy recently took 14th at the NXN MW Championship. Her teammate Gretchen Farley should be close by. Karina James is another one to watch.
Anjali Hocker Singh will lead the charge from Kansas. She was undefeated against state competition but performed well outside of the border- 6th at the Roy Griak Invite and 4th at the NXN Heartland Regional.
Another great runner with the spotlight over her head is Ali Weimer. The Minnesota native is undefeated and US#9 ranked thus far this season. Among her victims is fellow nationally ranked Ava Parekh. Weimer is a strength runner and the hills and uneven terrain here will suit her abilities well. State mate Sydney Drevlow dropped a personal best 17:10 at the NXN Heartland Regional and was just seven seconds behind Weimer.
Three of Missouri's top three runners are entered. Big school class champion Grace Tyson is ready to try and advance to her first national team. Julia Ray and Elyse Wilmes are candidates to place inside the top 20.
Ohio has a very small contingent coming to the meet. NC State signee Grace Hart won the big class state title followed by a runner-up finish at the Mideast Championship. It's safe to say that Hart is suited to finish in the top 20 and with good positioning and a strong finish, she could place in the top 10. Katie Clute is a strong runner and could be right up with Hart again.
The home state will have one of its very own ready to punch her ticket to San Diego. Lauren Pansegrau has been a very strong runner this fall. Among her strong performances was a Roy Griak bronze medal, state championship, and runner-up at the NXN Heartland Regional.