Girls 3200m Preview
The 7th heat of the girls' field is highlighted by Jenna Hutchins (Science Hill, TN), Caroline Lehman (Cambridge, FL), and Carmen Alder (Pinecrest). Hutchins, only a junior, has broken the 10:00 barrier in the 3200m already, running 9:42 at Music City Distance Carnival. Lehman, also a junior, ran 10:20 for the full 2 mile indoors at The East Coast Invitational and is the defending 2021 adidas Indoor Nationals 5000m champion where she ran 16:53. Alder is the three-time defending NCHSAA 4A individual cross country state champion and also has multiple indoor and outdoor 3200m titles. Her 3200m PR is 10:36 from Music City Distance Carnival.
Although those are the three favorites, there is a loaded field eager to make a name for themselves. Leigh Walters (Fred Page, TN) ran 10:37 over 2 mile at the 2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals and clocked 17:33 over 5000m in XC at RunningLane. Mary Ellen Eudaly (Cambridge ,FL) has ran 4:47 for 1600m and is looking for a big time 3200m performance. Kaitlyn Obremski (Topsail) has ran 10:59 for 3200m and is looking to dip even further under 11:00. Kayla Werner (Pacers, VA) ran 17:40 for 5000m at the VA Elite XC Invitational and was 5th at the NCRunners Elite Invitational last fall. Angie Allen (North Lincoln) ran 10:42 for 3200m in August and backed it up with a 17:47 5000m PR during cross country season. Other runners from North Carolina that have a really strong chance to have breakout performances are Quinn Shanahan (Durham Academy), Madeline Hill (Cuthbertson), Sierra Collins (Harnett Central), Vanessa Alder (Pinecrest) and Morgan Boonshaft (Providence Day).