1. Melanie Thompson (Jr., Voorhees)
Even though Thompson is the 2nd leading returnee here, the feeling is that she has made the leap to the top with a great Cross season last year, followed up by terrific progress on the track where she ranked #4 in the state at 1600m (4:54.31) and #8 at 3200m (10:43.53). Call it a hunch, but Thompson will be #1 at the end of the trail.
2. Brianna Jackuciewicz (Jr., Colts Neck)
Bri J. has the talent and potential to prove us wrong, but her continuing injury woes make for a more conservative prediction for her season. Yes, she won the Section in a virtual dead heat with Higginson, followed up by a 5th at Groups and a 6th at MOC, but she was a non-factor during the Track season. Hopefully she will have had a healthy summer and will be fit and ready to prove us wrong.
3. Lauren Penny (Sr., Roxbury)
You’ve got to love this kid. She is tough as nails and seems unflappable. Her MOC comeback from the unfortunate DNF at Groups was a testament to her intestinal fortitude. Her performances on the track (4:58.69, NJ #8 / 10:44.84, NJ #9) were another indication of her progress as a NJ elite.
The Next 7
4. Tori Berard (Jr., Roxbury)
5. Katie Kellner (Jr., West Windsor-Plainsboro South)
6. Katrina Spratford (Sr., Voorhees)
7. Clare Buck (Jr., Hopewell Valley)
8. Chelsea Ley (So., Kingsway)
9. Elizabeth Campbell (Sr. Mt. St. Mary’s)
10.) Molly Kempton (Mon. Donovan)