On June 15 of last year, University of Florida distance and cross country coach Will Palmer reached out to Claire Stegall, who had just finished her sophomore year at Nolensville (TN) High School.
It was the first day the NCAA allowed coaches to contact athletes who were entering their junior year. Palmer, who had joined Florida's staff only a few months earlier, didn't waste any time.
He wanted Stegall to know he identified her as a potential cornerstone of a resurgent Gators' program. The pitch worked.
Stegall, MileSplit's No. 11 girls recruit in the Class of 2025, recently committed to Florida. She considered other colleges, including the University of Tennessee and Liberty University.

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Stegall chose the Gators in large part because of the prog...