
The cross country season is quickly approaching.
New No. 1s are being given the keys to their programs, others are emerging within the top five, and even more are vying for spots in the scoring unit throughout the season. Upperclassmen, more than ever, know their roles within the team.
But it's also time for freshmen to emerge on the scene, to generate new careers as high schoolers, and even to surprise.
There's a special one brewing in the national girls field for the Class of 2021.
Incoming Winona Cotter (MN) High freshman Grace Ping set an age group world record in the 5K in June at the Portland Track Festival, breaking her own 14-year-old mark by less than a second in 16:25.63.
Comparison: Top 300 Freshmen XC Boys
Not only is Ping one of the best runners in the freshmen class, but she also could be our top runner overall in 2017. She was sixth last year at NXN and could potentially win a national title this fall.
Instate peer Anna Fenske, of Farmington (MN) High, ran 17:00.40 for the...