* Katie Clute (left) won this week's NPOTW poll for the cross country season; Ruth White (right) is a nominee for week 11 of the season
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Last weekend, everyone's eyes were focused on results from the state championships across the country.
In Ohio, Katie Clute of Olmstead Falls had one of the biggest performances of the weekend. At the OHSAA State Championships, Clute crossed the finish line in 17:25.10 to take the victory and won her first cross country state title in her career. The University of Oregon signee finished the regular season undefeated with 10 straight cross country victories.
During the week, the nation gave Clute 53-percent of its vote.
This weekend was full of state championships and qualifiers for Team Nationals. Therefore, it's now time to vote for our next winner.
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 National Girls Performer Of The Week Poll:
Gillian Bushee, Herndon (VA): In a late push at the VHSL Class 6 State Cross Country Championships, Bushee grabbed the title in 18:17 to add her sixth-straight win of this season.
Ruth White, Orono (ME): At the New England Cross Country Championships, White claimed the victory in 17:51 and earned a 145 speed rating. She was the only girl to go sub 18-minutes for 5K.
Lauren Ping, Valley Christian (AZ): Ping snagged the AIA State Championship Division 4 title in 17:53 and earned a 142 speed rating for her efforts.
Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (NY): In the Class A NYSPHSAA Cross Country Championships, the sophomore won the title 16-seconds over the rest of the competitive field. She clocked an 18:02 for a new season's best for a 152 speed rating.
Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa (MI): The sophomore ran her first sub-17-minute 5K in her career at the Team Nationals Midwest Regional Championships. She was the first girl to cross the finish line in 16:47 for a new personal best while she earned a 155 speed rating along the way.
Abbey Nechanicky, Wayzata (MN): The University of Colorado signee won the Team Nationals Heartland Regional Championships with a 154 speed rating. She clocked a 16:44 to win the title and led Wayzata to the team title with 75 points.
Anna Callahan, Skyline (WA): The junior won the Team Nationals Northwest Region title in 17:35 with a 144 speed rating.
NPOTW Winners:
- Week 1: Abbey Nechanicky, Wayzata (MN)
- Week 2: Claire Stegall, Nolensville (TN)
- Week 3: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa (MI)
- Week 4: Karrie Baloga, Cornwall (NY)
- Week 5: Ciara O'Shea, Madison Central (KY)
- Week 6: Karrie Baloga, Cornwall (NY)
- Week 7: Gillian Bushee, Herndon (VA)
- Week 8: Chiara Dailey, La Jolla (CA)
- Week 9: Paityn Noe, Ballard (IA)
- Week 10: Katie Clute, Olmstead Falls (OH)