Alysha Valencia

Free State High

Class: Freshman

Sport: Cross country

The week: Coming in as one of the favorites in the Class 6A state meet might have wilted some runners, but Valencia thrived, finishing fifth overall in leading the Firebirds to a fifth-place team finish last Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. She ran 11:57 for the two mile course, which was the top time for any freshman in the state.

Comment: “I know she wanted to be in the top 5,” FSHS coach Steve Heffernan said. “So to be able to deliever that is quite an acheivement.

“She handled it beautifully and I can only hope she does in years to come.”

Dylan McClain

Lawrence High

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

The week: Nursing a sore Achilles’ heel, McClain was with the lead pack at the 6A state meet last Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, but couldn’t stay with the leaders by the final hill. The heel pained him too much. Still, he followed up last year’s runner-up finish by placing sixth this year, as the Lions were second in the team standings.

Comment: “I think he did all he could,” LHS coach Dick Reamon said. “I think he felt like he had the wind, the condidtiong and the physical factors to run down the people in front of him.

“But with the Achilles’, he couldn’t stay with them.”