There's no better way to see who are the rising stars in our state than to take a look at the middle school rankings. Though the state meet for middle schoolers feature a 4K standard distance, many meets across the state run multiple distances. Here we introduce the leaders for all distances. Check them out below.
4000 Meters
Nathan Lovell (Hidden Valley) 14:05 - Nathan has raced three times this season and has won all of those races. He has run 14:05 to win Knights Crossing (the biggest middle school invite race of the season), 14:24 to win Clash With The Titans, and 10:54 for 3K to win the Bengal Clash at The River.
River Smith (Hanover) 15:46 - River has raced four times this season including two 4K's and two 5K's winning three of those races. On top of being the state leader for 4K, she is also has run 19:36 for 5K this season too.
3000 Meters
Marcel Worthem (Twain) 9:34 - Between outdoors last year and XC this year Marcel has toed the line nine times and won seven times. That includes running 4:52 for 1600, 2:21 for 800, and 56.23 for 400 as a 7th grader. His victory in the 3K this season was a 18 second margin of victory.
Lauren Nichols (Irving) 10:40 - Lauren has just races once this season according to our database but that one time was enough to take over the state lead. Her 10:40 clocking was 49 seconds faster than any other girl on the course that day.
2 Mile
Ty Hood (Rye Cove) 10:09 - Ty has tallied up three victories and one silver medal finish this season. His personal best in the two mile is his 10:09 clocking that he ran on September 4th at Martin's Station Raid.
Michaela Anderson (Immanuel Christian) 13:15 - Michaela is the youngest of the state leaders being a 7th grader this year. She has tallied two victories on the season. Last season as a 6th grader she won the VCAC state championship running 20:10 for 5K!