The Front-Runner
Katie Rainsberger | Air Academy, CO | SENIOR
Katie Rainsberger is a mainstay at Nike Cross Nationals as she approaches her fourth consecutive appearance at the Portland meet. With prior showings of 13th (2012), 6th (2013) and 6th (2014), Rainsberger will likely become just the third schoolgirl to place within the top 20 overall in all four years. But it's not just a top 20 placement that's expected from the Air Academy star, as Rainsberger is tabbed to take home the title.
The University of Oregon commit is undefeated this fall, but it's her margins of victory that are more impressive than her untarnished record. Rainsberger is a two-time champion at NXN Southwest, though she defeated fellow Colorado elite Lauren Gregory by a dominating 20 seconds this year compared to just a four seconds last year. In case you don't know about Gregory... the three-time state cross country champion from Fort Collins is no slouch, with PRs of 4:41 (mile) and 10:15 (3200m).
Other notable wins this year include a 31-second victory over Allie Schadler at the Desert Twilight XC Festival. Schadler, a six-time Arizona state champion, owns PRs of 16:47 (5K XC) and 4:41 (mile). Rainsberger's time of 16:23.4 at that race still stands as the nation's fastest 5K this year.
Rainsberger is the No. 4 returner from the 2014 championship, though that number includes Paige Hofstad of New Braunfels, Texas, who is out with injury; Fiona O'Keeffe of Davis, Ca., who has raced sparingly due to injury and managed just eighth at her state meet (more on O'Keeffe later); and Megan Hasz of Alexandria Jefferson, Minn., who did not advance from the NXN Heartland regional.
Sounds like Rainsberger is the de facto No. 1.
Add in her international cross country experience (she represented Team USA at APA Pan-Ams and IAAF World Jrs.) and good genes (mom, Lisa, was the last American woman to win the Boston Marathon), and it's hard to look past the senior as the odds-on favorite.
