Marlee Starliper (Northern)
Regionals Performance: Starliper placed second in an absolutely loaded Foot Locker Northeast field. Connecticut's Sydney Masciarelli outlasted Starliper in the home stretch to take the win, denying Starliper's run for a second straight FLNE title. Still, Starliper came across the line in 17:17, the second fastest 5K time of her career and 30 seconds faster than her winning time from last year.
Season Recap: 2018 was another XC season for the ages for Starliper. She was unbeaten leading up to her regional race. She opened up with wins at the PIAA Foundation Invitational (18:12) and then the Paul Short Run (17:58). After those races, though, she really started hitting her true form.
Starliper ran 17:37 to win her first Mid-Penn title at Big Spring. Two weeks later, again at Big Spring, in some terribly rainy conditions, Starliper cranked a 17:19 for the win, a remarkable showing of grit on an already-tough course. At the state meet, Starliper conquered some rough course conditions at Hershey because of overnight rains. She claimed her second straight AA state title, running 17:53 for the win.
Foot Locker Nationals Outlook: Starliper will be one of the favorites heading into Saturday's race. The junior has experience on the course and has appeared more and more fit with each passing race. A year ago, she led a chase back trying to run down eventual winner Claudia Lane. Starliper faded to 13th.
A year older and wiser, Starliper is one of a handful of girls with a legitimate shot to take home the national title. Her regional foes Masciarelli and Grace Connolly (MA) are in that bunch two. Emily Covert (MN), Taylor Ewert (OH) and Katelynne Hart (IL) are among the other names that should be up near the front.
More on Starliper's chances to win is coming tomorrow!