2019 MileSplit50 Individual Girls XC Rankings Countdown

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No. 12 Heidi Nielson

School: Katy Cinco Ranch (TX)

Year: Class of 2021

Notable Finishes: 6th at USATF Cross Country Championships (6K); 28th at Foot Locker Nationals; 26th at Nike Cross Nationals; 2nd at Foot Locker South; 4th at UIL Class 6A Cross Country Championships; 

Analysis: Nielson enters the season with plenty of momentum. This spring, the high school junior qualified for, and ran for Team USA at the Pan American U20 Championships in Costa Rica in the 5K. Previous to her finish in San Jose, she put down a track 5K PR of 16:54.02 and other major bests like 4:48.71 in the 1,600m and 9:46.71 in the 3K. She won the adidas Boost Boston Games in 4:46.31 in June, too. 

A year ago, Nielson had her biggest season yet, finishing 26 at NXN -- and running an impressive 17:42.00 -- and 28th at Foot Locker Nationals before going on to qualify for the IAAF U20 World Cross Country Championships in Denmark -- she was the only high school athlete to qualify for two separate USA teams in 2018-2019.

State wide, she was wildly successful, too, running through much of her competition before finishign fourth at the UIL Class 6A Cross Country Championships. This season's mark is a state title, though it won't be any easier than it was in 2018. 

But Nielson has the talent to achieve it. She remains one of Texas' brightest stars heading into the 2018-2019 season.