*  Abbey Nechanicky (left) won the first NPOTW poll for the cross country season; Irene Riggs (right) is a nominee for week 2 of the season

After battling through an injury last year, Abbey Nechanicky of Wayzata (MN) came back this 2022 cross country season healthy and with a strong first race of the season underneath her belt.

The senior from Plymouth had her cross country debut at the St. Olaf High School Showcase. She's a veteran when it comes to this course as she competed here in 2019 and 2021. 

Last weekend she clocked a personal best for 5K with a 17:08.90 to win the meet with a 152 speed rating. Wayzata followed her drive and was able to win the team title with a 19:25 average. 

During the week, Nechanicky earned 50-percent of the votes to be named this week's National Girls Performer Of The Week. 

Let's move on to week 2 of the cross country season National Performer of the Week poll.  

We will recognize a winner every week in this poll, with nominations handed out on Monday. The poll will end on Friday and winners will be announced the following Monday. 

Here are the nominations for the second National Performer Of The Week Poll:

Irene Riggs, Morgantown (WV): Riggs debuted her season at the Red, White and Blue Classic with a new course record of 17:03 on the White Oaks Park course. This performance earned her a 151 speed rating --  the second-highest speed rating so far this season. 

Sydney Drevlow, Hopkins (MN): The sophomore clocked a season's best in the 5K with a 17:33 at the Hopkins Bauman/Rovn Invitational. Her victory equaled a 140 speed rating. 

Emma Stutzman, Pomona (CO): In a close finish at the Liberty Bell Invitational, Stutzman captured the victory one second over Ella Hagen of Summit with a 16:44 5K performance.  

Emily Bush, Saratoga Springs (NY): At the VVS (Prestate) Invitational, Bush led Saratoga Springs to the team title. She also clocked the fastest time out of six waves and 705 competitors. She crossed the finish line in 18:23 to earn a 143 speed rating. 

Addison Price, Cherry Creek (CO): Price finished third at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational which helped Cherry Creek earn the team title over Valor Christian, Arapahoe and Mountain Vista. 

Lily Cridge, Bishop Chatard (IN): Cridge put together another strong performance to begin the 2022 season. She clocked a 17:17.50 at the Indiana All Catholic XC meet to win the title. Her performance equaled a 146 speed rating. 

Claire Stegall, Nolensville (TN): This sophomore won the MSCCA Voyles Classic with a personal best for 5K in 17:08.18. She ran the seventh-fastest 5K of the weekend.