MileSplit50 Individual Girls XC Rankings Countdown

16.

Athlete: Anna Fenske

Year: Sophomore, Class of 2021

School: Farmington (MN)

Analysis: The Minnesota sophomore is a veteran at this point, this being her fourth season on cross country soil. But since her seventh-grade season, when Fenske was third in her section, ninth at her state championships and eighth at NXR Heartland, she's only gotten stronger. Her freshman season at Farmington saw her develop even more, as she won her second Section 1AA title, was second at the Class AA state championships in Minnesota and earned her second NXN qualification after her third-place outing at NXR Heartland. Fenske was an All-American NXN, finishing 10th overall in 17:58.90. And she ran a season best 17:05.14 for 5K at Heartland--which was only five seconds off of her career best from 2016.

There's no doubt the sophomore has a lot on her plate in 2018. Not only will she be expected to be more of a leader for Farmington--alongside fellow-NXN qualifier Lauren Peterson--but Fenske could help guide the squad toward a potential Class AA state title in Minnesota--going up against national powers like Edina and Wayzata in the process--and potentially earn an NXN berth as a team.

Farmington is ranked No. 21 on the MileSplit50 rankings, and she's a big reason why the program is so high.