What will the freshman class bring us over the 2017 cross country season? Using last year's data, we know that some rookies are surefire bets to produce right away -- not only state-to-state, but across the nation.
And yet, here's where it gets interesting. The nation's top three freshmen are all from Minnesota. While the name Grace Ping rings a bell -- she set and broke her own 14-year-old age group world record in the 5K this year -- so, too, does the name Anna Fenske, who finished 22nd at NXN a year ago. Ping was sixth.
Ping's top time of 16:25.63 came on the track -- though she also produced a 16:26.83 on the road -- which means it doesn't fall on this list.
Woodbury Math & Science Academy's Tierney Wolfgram has the third fastest returning 5K in the group with an effort of 17:45.10.
Check the list below to find the top 500 rising freshmen in cross country based on their 2016 times. Like Fenske, Ping and Wolfgram, there may be some diamonds just waiting to be found.
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Top 500 Incom...