Carmen Alder (Pinecrest) and Angie Allen (North Lincoln) match up on the cross country course for the first time of their senior season. For the first time, however, Alder will match-up against freshman superstar Morgan Boonshaft (Providence Day School). Alder made her season debut at the Carolina Liberty Freedom Invitational where she clocked a 16:58 finally cracking that 17:00 barrier. Allen is has won both of her races this season dipping under 18:00 both times. One of her victories came at Hare & Hounds where she went head to head with Boonshaft who finished 2nd.
Ryann Aycock (Cary Christian) is the defending NCISAA 3A state champion and ready to keep her sophomore season going strong. Lillian Walters (Hough) ran 18:08 last season at Great American and will try to dip under 18:00 for the first time. Vanessa Alder (Pinecrest) ran 17:57 at the Carolina Liberty Freedom Invitational and will be looking to tag alongside her sister as long as she can. Vanessa was 3rd at the NCHSAA 4A XC state meet last season. Sierra Collins (Harnett Central) was 3rd behind the Alder's at Freedom Invitational in 18:23. Collins won the Carolina Liberty 3k in 10:19.
Quinn Shanahan (Durham Academy) has run 18:32 last season. Lauren Wimberly (Pinecrest) ran 18:58 last season as a freshman. Anna Ivanisevic (East Chapel Hill) ran 18:32 last season as well. Gwen Parks (Reagan) was 4th at the Carolina Liberty Freedom Invitational in 19:14 Her personal best of 18:30 at the Hagan Stone XC Invitational last season. Margaret Ann Healy (DSA) has a 19:17 personal best and will be ready to make her season debut.
Some out of state talent is featured at the top of this race. Meadow Millett (Mitchell, Florida) is making to trip up to NC and she will look to walk away with a win. The Florida senior has a 18:15 personal best. Kayla Werner (Pacers, Virginia) ran a personal best of 18:23 in her seasonal debut. Carly Wilkes (Glenvar, Virginia) ran 18:24 and was runner-up to Werner at Pole Green Lower Course 5k in Virginia.