Athlete: Rebecca Story
Year: 2018
School: Christian Academy of Knoxville, TN
Analysis: Rebecca Story is one of the nation's top-ranked returning track runners, thanks in part to an impressive 10:11.24, fourth-place finish in the Brooks PR two mile. She was also fourth at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in 10:16.72 and set PBs of 4:51.72 in the mile and 2:14.10 in the 800m.
Story's track marks put her atop the Class of 2018 rankings and she will look to match those efforts in cross country this fall. She regularly battles with fellow national level Tennessee star Taylor Cuneo, behind whom she finished runner-up at the state cross country meet. Last year, Story ran her 5K PB of 16:57.44 to defeat Cuneo by more than 30 seconds at the Jesse Owens Classic during the first weekend of October, but faded back to 44th overall at the NXN SE Regional in late November while Cuneo placed fourth and advanced to a 19th place finish at NXN. Look for Story to manage her peak better this fall so she's in top form come regionals.