Key Losses
Key Returners
2015 End of Season All-Class Rank - 15th
2016 Preseason Rank based off 2015 times - 20th
2015 4A State XC Finish - 12th
With the graduation of Paige McKinney who has lead the girls distance program for the last two seasons someone has some major shoes to fill. For only being established in 2010, Hough has shown that they will be a powerhouse distance program for years to come. In 2015 they advanced a full boys and girls team to the NCHSAA 4A State Meet out of a difficult West region. Out of their top 5 they only lose McKinney.
Malea Smith was a strong #2 last season running consistently sub 20 minutes for the majority of the season. She had a strong indoor season running 5:29 qualifying for the indoor state meet where she finished 16th. Someone who emerged for the Huskies in the outdoor season was former #6 runner Bella Zimmerman. She ran 21:00 in her freshman XC season but on the track she went from being a 6 minute miler to running 5:25 and finishing 5th at the regional meet in the 1600! If her track success translates to the XC course she could fill the lead role McKinney left behind.
Lauren Brodauf, and Ashtyn Smith had strong showings in the outdoor season as well. Smith ran 5:31 and 11:51 for 1600 and 3200 respectively with Brodauf not too far behind at 5:40. Getting both of these girls down to the mid 19 range would make Hough a very strong team this fall, but they may lack having a strong 5th runner. Caroline Wills assumed that roll last season and Hough will look for her to do the same in 2016. Sophomore Addison Schwab, who didn't join Hough's program until the outdoor season, showed some promise running 5:52 last spring.