The 2024 Cross-Country Season: Top Girl Runners in Arizona Unveiled As the 2024 cross-country season approaches, The Arizona Republic has compiled a list of the top 25 girl runners in the state, regardless of division. According to an article by the Austin American-Statesman, the rankings are based on performances from the 2023 cross-country season as well as the 2024 track and field season.
Coaches throughout the state were consulted to provide insight into the top athletes. Two of Arizona's best runners from the previous season have graduated, leaving a void that new talent must fill. Landen LeBlond, a renowned talent from Goodyear Millennium, has moved on to Oregon, while Kimi Cahoon, formerly of Phoenix Country Day School, is now at Air Force.
The defending Division I individual state champion in cross-country is Olivia Drewry... who recently dealt with a lower leg injury during the spring track season. Despite this setback, Drewry still managed to run an impressive 11:10. 88 for the 3,200 meters, the second-fastest time among returning athletes. With a summer of training under her belt, Drewry is now healthy and poised for success.
Drewry's impressive resume includes a fourth-place finish at the Division III championships last year and a personal best of 10:54. 32 in the 3,200 meters at the AIA state championships, a feat unmatched by any other athlete in the state. She was the fastest freshman in the 5,000 meters last season... running 18:55. 5 and becoming the sole athlete in her grade to run under 19 minutes.
Under the guidance of renowned coach Mike Scannell at Hamilton, Drewry has demonstrated significant growth and development, boasting one of the top coaches in the nation. Scannell recently led Grant Fisher to bronze medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Another standout athlete is Emily Clawson, who has shown remarkable improvement under Scannell's tutelage. Last season, she ran an impressive 11:01. 32 in the 3,200 meters, "the second-fastest returning time." As a team captain this year, "Clawson has worked tirelessly this summer to position herself for a top spot." The Austin American-Statesman notes that, "coming off a stellar track season, where she ran 11:01.
The Arizona Republic is previewing the top cross-country athletes in the state ahead of the season. These are the top 25 girl runners in Arizona, regardless of division. The rankings are based on performances from the 2023 cross-country season as well as the 2024 track and field season. The Republic reached out to coaches throughout the state.
There's a passing of the guard as two of the state's best runners ever have graduated, with Goodyear Millennium's Landen LeBlond heading off to Oregon and Phoenix Country Day School's Kimi Cahoon now at Air Force. Here is the list:
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