2008 Foot Locker - Finals the runners 12/13/08 at Balboa Park, San Diego CA

Midwest Girls Gallery

Page Design by Dave Devine, Photos by Photorun.net
XC Stats and Analysis by SteveU, Track PRs by Mike Kennedy

BECCA ADDISON Grand Haven (Mi.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 5th FL Midwest, 3rd D1 State, 1st Portage Invite Previous Foot Locker:  '07-11th MW Track PRs: 56.03, 2:05.61, 4:34.6, 4:50.80 Analysis:  New to this level in XC, but Addison was 2nd in NON 800 last spring, so she knows about national championships … with improvement and consistency this fall, made up for heartbreak of 11th in 07 at FL MW … top 15 or so would be good goal.

ASHLIE DECKER Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines, Ia.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US#23 6th FL Midwest, 8th NXN Finals, 1st NXN Heartland, 1st 4A State, 2nd Griak Invite Previous Foot Locker:  ’07-17th MW Track PRs: 10:09.4 (3,000) Analysis:  Like her four Texas and Illinois counterparts, Decker is attempting the difficult 4-race stretch of regional/national races … possibly a top-ten quality runner fresh, top 15 would be most realistic for her.

LINDSEY FLANAGAN Lake Park (Roselle, Il.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#18 8th FL Midwest, 5th NXN Finals, 5th NXN Midwest, 1st 3A State Previous Foot Locker:  none Track PRs: 10:33.04 Analysis:  After tearing up Illinois all year, Flanagan underperformed a bit at the NXN and Foot Locker region meets, though she made both nationals … but at NXN Finals, she was back at her very best with a terrific 5th-place finish … if the rejuvenation lasts, top 10 is possible.

MEGAN GOETHALS Rochester (Rochester Hills, Mi.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US#6 1st FL Midwest, 1st D1 State, 1st Spartan Invite, 1st Oakland County Previous Foot Locker:  ’07-64th MW Track PRs: 4:42.8, 4:59.26, 10:25.6, 10:59.0 Analysis:  In September, Goethals made it clear she’d be good this year, but no one expected unbeaten season through FL Midwest … Probably not quite at level of big three, but certainly a top-five candidate … this is her first national championship in track or XC

ALLIE MCLAUGHLIN Air Academy (Colorado Springs, Co.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#18 4th FL Midwest, 1st 5A State Previous Foot Locker:  none Track PRs: 10:49.46 Analysis:  Went out too hard at FL Midwest and paid for it later … if she can manufacture performance like she had in her devastating state meet victory, she’d have a shot at top 5-10 or better – she was that good as she finished off unbeaten year to that point.

CHELSEA OSWALD Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Oh.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#17 3rd FL Midwest, 1st Mideast Champs, 5th D2 State Previous Foot Locker:  ’07-8th MW/31st Finals Track PRs: 5:03.40, 10:54.90 Analysis:  Like 2007, Oswald has absolutely turned it on in the post-season after not looking like the best in Ohio much of the year … should be able to improve on her 31st from last year, maybe top 15-20.

DIANE ROBISON Parkway Central (Chesterfield, Mo.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 10th FL Midwest, 6th 4A State, 7th Great American, 2nd Rim Rock Previous Foot Locker:  none Track PRs: 4:43.20, 5:03.9, 10:10.16, 10:56.74 Analysis:  After an off-form state meet showing, Robison returned to a higher level of excellence at FL Midwest to join teammate Sisson … she and Sisson were 7th and 3rd at Great American, showing why they’re one of the best 1-2 teammate punches in the country … top 20-25 would be a good goal.

EMILY SISSON Parkway Central (Chesterfield, Mo.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US#10 2nd FL Midwest, 1st State 4A, 3rd Great American, 1st Rim Rock Previous Foot Locker:  ’07-4th MW/23rd Finals, ’06-1st MW/3rd Finals Track PRs: 2:14.3, 4:51.42, 9:45.3, 10:21.71 Analysis:  Now one of the true veterans out here, Sisson was a few strides away from her 2nd Midwest crown … after down year as soph, she’s been strong and consistent all fall and has a good chance to make her 3rd top ten here, or maybe a top five.

JORDAN TOMECEK Milan, (Mi.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 9th FL Midwest, 1st D2 State (6th overall), 1st Portage D2 (2nd overall) Previous Foot Locker:  none Track PRs: 5:14.8, 11:10.90 Analysis:  Tomecek’s finish capped off a great day at FL Midwest this year for Michigan girls … with the top girls generally in D1, she had little competition all year … top 20-25 would be good finish for first big national meet.

JESSICA ZANGMEISTER Fairview (Fairview Park, Oh.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 7th FL Midwest, 6th Mideast Champs, 4th State D2 Previous Foot Locker:  ’07-43rd MW Track PRs: 11:01.84 Analysis:  Ohio runners produced some great finishes at the FL and NXN regional meets and Zangmeister was a big and surprising part of it … nine Ohio runners were faster than her at state, but like Oswald, she’s had a great post-season peak … top 20-25 would be good goal.