An emerging athlete from Pennsylvania is on top of the national leaderboard after a remarkable effort on Saturday.
Northern sophomore Marlee Starliper, who finished second in the state's AA cross country championships last year as a freshman, absolutely dominated the 25th annual Carlisle Invitational with a U.S. No. 1 time of 16:50.00 to win the girls challenge race.
She surpassed Ann Arbor Pioneer (Michigan) High's Anne Forsyth, who previously ran 16:50.30.
Starliper led a group of four girls under 17:40, including runner-up Lydia Olivere, a Foot Locker Nationals qualifier from last season who runs for Padua Academy (Delaware). The junior clocked a 17:02. It was Olivere's second big effort this season and stands as a U.S. No. 6 mark.
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| GIRLS 5,000 METER RUN FINALS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACE | ATHLETE | TEAM | RESULT | POINTS | ||
| 1 | Marlee Starliper | 10 Northern | 16:50.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 2 | Lydia Olivere | 12 Padua Academy | 17:02.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 3 | Olivia Beckner | 12 South Lakes | 17:36.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 4 | Tashala Turner | 12 University High | 17:39.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 5 | Maddie McLain | 12 Eastern York | 17:44.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 6 | Emily Schuler | 10 Dallastown | 17:47.00 | ${Points} | ||
| 7 | Abby Yourkavitch | 12 Chambersburg | 17:54.00 | ${Points} | ||