Future Stars: Fast Underclassmen Shine Under Pressure

Nov 14, 2024

* Andrew Beroset won the FHSAA 3A Region 1 title over the weekend

Photo Credit: Nancy Scott/Florida MileSplit

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With the first weekend of national qualifying overlapping with another weekend of state championships, there were plenty of opportunities for these rising stars to steal the show.

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While some did so in a post-state meet against the best runners that Michigan has to offer, others used both state championships and qualifiers to showcase their success.

Check out these four talented runners who make up this season's ninth edition of Future Stars.

ANDREW BEROSET

Gulf Breeze (Fla.)

Class of 2027

The sophomore has had a relatively successful campaign this fall, winning six of his nine races this season, and notching a lifetime best of 15:03.69 just last week at the FHSAA 3A Region 1 meet. Beroset was in control from the moment the gun went off, ultimately building a 28-second lead on the field once he crossed the finish line. Beroset also helped the Dolphins to a runner-up finish to Chiles (Fla.). Beroset currently sits No. 5 in Florida this season, and is the second-fastest sophomore in state history. It's also worth noting Beroset has run under 15:45 all but twice this season.

EMILIA GARCES

Midland Dow (Mich.)

Class of 2028

After opening up her high school season with a runner-up finish in 18:23, everybody knew that the younger Garces sister was next up. She has competed 11 times this season, and has finished runner-up to her older sister, Victoria, twice. Garces has yet to finish outside of the top 10, and has finished first or second on seven occasions this fall. Most recently, she shattered her previous best at the MITCA 5th Annual Meet of Champions Presented by HOKA, running 17:28.84 en route to her seventh-place finish. The freshman is now the seventh-fastest freshman in state history.

JACK MCGOVERN

Rockhurst (Mo.)

Class of 2028

For a freshman that was immediately a key piece in the success for one of the region's best teams, McGovern sure never looked the part. In all six of his races he's run so far during his freshman campaign, he's been the Hawklet's No. 3 runner all but once. Last weekend at his first MSHSAA Class 5 State Championships, McGovern clocked 15:17.9 at Gans Creek, 19 seconds faster than when he ran on the same course at the tail-end of September. McGovern isn't just running well, he's executing on all fronts despite competing against 18-year-olds. McGovern is tied for the fastest time ever ran by a Missouri freshman, and one of just three ever to break 15:40.

ELLERY LINCOLN

Lincoln (Ore.)

Class of 2027

It only makes sense that Ellery Lincoln is the top runner for the Lincoln Cardinals! The sophomore had led the way for the dominant Portland-based program, finishing outside of the top five finishers just once. Over the weekend, Lincoln's role proved even more critical, with her third-place finish being one of the key performances that helped the Cardinals hold off Lake Oswego (Ore.), 90-102, at the OSAA 6A State Championships. If history tells us anything, it's that Lincoln is on pace to do some incredible things. She's the No. 4 fastest freshman in Oregon history, and one of only seven Oregonian underclassmen ever to run 17:25 or faster.