* Bethany Michalak (left) won the NPOTW Week 5 honor; Hannah Kaercher (right) is a nominee for Week 6 of the cross country season
- - -
In her second race of the season, Air Academy's (CO) Bethany Michalak grabbed another huge win at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational.
She hung tight with Cherry Creek's (CO) Riley Stewart and took over the lead to cross the finish line in 17:00.40 for 5K. This is the fastest time in the country so far this year and her efforts equaled a high 146 speed rating.
The sophomore earned 69-percent of the votes over the last week to solidify this week's National Girls Performer Of The Week presented by New Balance.
Congratulations Michalak on your big win and setting a new personal best.
Let's move on to week 6 of the cross country season National Performer of the Week presented by New Balance poll.
Vote for whom you think should win this week's national honor following this most recent week of action. Voting will end Friday, and we'll recognize the winner every Monday during the unveiling of the newest poll. Better yet, each boy and girl winner will win a pair of New Balance shoes.
We are requesting winners (or their parents or coaches) from each week to email Cory Mull at cory.mull@flosports.tv and Olivia Ekpone at olivia.ekpone@flosports.tv to notify us of your contact.
Vote below in the poll and let us know your thoughts in the comments. For reference, check our Top 25 Cross Country Performances of the Week. You can also vote in our National Boys Performer of the Week poll.
NPOTW Cross Country Winners:
- Week 1 Winner: Karina James, Lowell (IN)
- Week 2 Winner: Lily Cridge, Bishop Chatard (IN)
- Week 3 Winner: Avalon Mecham, American Fork (UT)
- Week 4 Winner: Nicki Southerland, Delta (IN)
- Week 5 Winner: Bethany Michalak, Air Academy (CO)
NPOTW Club Track and Field Winners:
