Watch Anne Forsyth dominate the Foot Locker Midwest Regional.
The Darkhorses
India Johnson | Hilliard Davidson, OH | SENIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #11
Breakout senior year is the end result of four years of steady progression through the high school ranks. The Michigan State commit was undefeated in the state of Ohio, including her first state cross country crown, and took runner-up honors at both NXN Midwest and Foot Locker Midwest. She is executed her race plan perfectly to break into the top 10 at Nike Cross Nationals with a 17:53, ninth place performance. Johnson is peaking at just the right time.
India Johnson after placing ninth at NXN in big breakthrough performance:
Heather Holt | George C. Marshall, VA | JUNIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #14
The Virginia junior has tested herself against a ton of top names this season: Kelsey Chmiel, Kate Murphy and most recently, Nevada Mareno at the Foot Locker South Regional. She doesn't have a big scalp just yet, but Holt unleashed an impressive kick to finish just two seconds behind Mareno at the South Regional after the Stanford commit took off in the first mile. All signs are pointing to a big run coming up.
Heather Holt after taking second at the Foot Locker South Regional:
Rebecca Story | Christian Academy of Knoxville, TN | JUNIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #15
Took sixth place at Foot Locker South to advance to her first national cross country championships in a banner year after taking 44th at NXN Southeast in 2015. Besides the regional meet, Story has not raced any out-of-state competition but she did clock an impressive 9:59.85 3200m at the HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals on Nov. 18. That mark makes her the fastest two miler in the field --Mareno has run 10:00-- as well as a significant title threat. Of note: she was fourth at the Brooks PR two mile in 10:11 this past June, just behind NXN champion Brie Oakley.
Rebecca Story after qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals:
Anne Forsyth | Ann Arbor Pioneer, MI | JUNIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #19
She has been one of the faster girls in Michigan for the past few years but really came into her own this fall. Recorded a runner-up finish behind Maggie Farrell at the Michigan State Championship, but beat out the senior to claim a spot to nationals at NXN Midwest. She won the Foot Locker Midwest Regional over India Johnson, then went on to place 14th at NXN after being one of the fastest off the line.
Anne Forsyth after winning the Foot Locker Midwest Regional: