1. Kelsey Chmiel Wins International Race, Makes Statement
This was a pivotal moment in Kelsey Chmiel's prep career.
The Saratoga Springs (NY) High junior was finally in a race without North Rockland sophomore Katelyn Tuohy, and guess what happened?
She won.
The junior finished the Great Edinburgh International XCountry Challenge's 4K race at Scotland's Holyrood Park in 14:10, besting Europe's Mariana Machado by three seconds. Malibu (CA) High junior Claudia Lane, the Foot Locker Champion, was seventh in 14:30.
Talk about an emphatic win.
The fall cross country season must have been a humbling experience for Chmiel. Consider that as a sophomore, she had won states, Federation, and finished second at NXR New York, ahead of Tuohy. But as Tuohy took a phenomenal turn toward stardom this season, Chmiel was just a few meters behind, largely taking the backseat in her home state of New York.
Of course, there was reason to believe Chmiel had improved, too. She had Great American on October 7 in 16:50.30 and finished second at Nike Cross Nationals on Decemvber 2 in 17:25.00.
Whether you want to believe the Great Edinburgh International Country Challenge was an important race or not, Chmiel did prove to onlookers that she is a viable force that must be considered as one of the top runners in the country, if not the second best, from 2018.
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