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: âÂÂI know she wanted to be in the top 5,â FSHS coach Steve Heffernan said. âÂÂSo to be able to deliever that is quite an acheivement.

âÂÂShe handled it beautifully and I can only hope she does in years to come.âÂÂ

Dylan McClain

Lawrence High

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

The week: Nursing a sore Achillesâ heel, McClain was with the lead pack at the 6A state meet last Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, but couldnâÂÂt stay with the leaders by the final hill. The heel pained him too much. Still, he followed up last yearâÂÂs runner-up finish by placing sixth this year, as the Lions were second in the team standings.

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

âÂÂBut with the AchillesâÂÂ, he couldnâÂÂt stay with them.âÂÂ