Dark horses
Jess Lawson established herself as a national runner on the rise this fall after busting out a 13:53.9 4K performance to break the all-time course record at the hallowed Van Cortlandt Park during the Manhattan Invitational. After an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, the Lawson of 2015 looks more like the freshman phenom we saw qualify for Foot Locker in 2013 and run to three New York state titles (XC, indoor 3K, outdoor 3K).
After Debalsi's punishing early pace at Foot Locker Northeast, Lawson was one of the few runners to hang on and finished within two seconds of Madeleine Davison. Third place finisher Maria Coffin was another second back. Lawson has one of the best kicks in the game (see: Manhattan record, New York Feds win) and will be a factor if she can stay close through the opening miles.