Photo Credit: Kyle Brazeil/MileSplit New York
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A few statement wins at the three Foot Locker Regionals and the CIF State Championships made for an exciting weekend as we enter the final two weeks of the season.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 5, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing girls from last weekend.
This Week's Nominees:
Chiara Dailey, La Jolla (Calif.): After winning her first CIF D4 cross country state title a year ago, Dailey successfully went back-to-back after pulling away from the field by 49 seconds, winning in 16:44.4. Dailey's new PB was a 23-second improvement on her previous mark, and now makes her the fifth-fastest junior in state history, and the 10th in state history regardless of grade.
Virginia Kraus, Saucon Valley (Penn.): Is there anything better than running a new lifetime best and winning a Foot Locker Regional at the same time? For the Pennsylvania native, the answer is no. Kraus clocked 17:34.4, winning by five seconds as six girls dipped under 18:00 in Boston. Kraus is one of just two juniors to make it out of the Northeast Regional and is a sneaky contender for a high finish in San Diego next weekend.
Victoria Garces, Midland Dow (Mich.): After winning NPOTW honors back in Week 7, the future Blue Devil threw down a big-time win at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional, garnering another nomination for NPOTW. Garces didn't have to dig too deep in her win, running 17:14.6 as she broke the tape 11 seconds ahead of the runner-up. The senior picked up her eighth win of the season in as many races and is one of the few senior returners that will toe the line.
Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion (Texas): Although she's been dealing with adversity throughout the entirety of her junior season, the 3200m national record holder seems to be trending in the right direction. Despite racing just once in all of September and October, Leachman has since won her fifth UIL title, finished runner-up at NXR Southeast, and most recently defended her Foot Locker South title this last weekend. The defending champion crossed in 16:55.58, winning by four seconds.
Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (Calif.): Another previous winner back in contention is none other than Florida State commit Rylee Blade, who snagged her third CIF title and second consecutive in cross country. Blade won by 12 seconds in 16:46.5, punching her ticket to Glendoveer Golf Course for the third-straight year. Blade also led Santiago Corona to a third-place team finish behind perennial powers Trabuco Hills and Buchanan.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Daniela Scheffler, Uniontown-Lake (Ohio)
Week 2: Paige Sheppard, Union Catholic (N.J.)
Week 3: Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (Calif.)
Week 4: Lilly Beshears, Rogers (Ark.)
Week 5: Kate Loescher, Colonial Forge (Va.)
Week 6: Gabbie Bishop, Providence Academy (Ark.)
Week 7: Victoria Garces, Midland Dow (Mich.)
Week 8: Marissa Ferebee, Pella (Iowa)
Week 9: Katelyn Rupe, Salina Central (Kan.)
Week 10: Mia Sirois, Barrington (Ill.)
Week 11: Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (N.Y.)
Week 12: Julia Kelly, Downingtown West (Penn.)