MileSplit50 Girls Team Rankings Countdown

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24. Farmington (MN)

Analysis: Farmington once again will have young talent fielding its ranks, led by junior Anna Fenske -- who's been a dominant runner since her 7th-grade season. While the top-end of Minnesota has scores of talent and national-level teams like STMA, Wayzata and Edina, Farmington could be closing the gap. Fenske, a three-time qualifier of NXN, is a true star who was third in the MSHSL Class 2A Cross Country Championships and fourth at NXR Heartland. While the team lost graduate Lauren Peterson, who was second at the state championships, it retains eighth-grader Mariah Fenske, junior Laura McGregor, eighth-grader Marianah Scott and junior Maleah Scott. Eighth-grader Lilyen Peterson is back, too, giving the team some improving talent. The squad has an aggregate average of 18:43.22. 

Biggest question: Is Farmington too young to compete with the elites? 

Besides Fenske, very few athletes on the team have proven themselves at the highest levels. But fitness is fitness. Sometimes all it takes is feeling ready, and then racing. Farmington, if nothing else, needs to develop confidence and an ownership. They have to believe they can win.