12. Helen Sachs
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School: West Ottawa (Holland, Mich.)
Year: 2025
2023 Notable Finishes: 4th in 1600m at MHSAA LP D1 Finals, 5th in 3200m at MHSAA LP D1 Finals
Analysis: After missing the entirety of her sophomore track season and a good chunk of her junior cross country season, Helen Sachs didn't waste any time as she took her rightful spot at the top of Michigan distance running.
Though Sachs didn't win a state title in the 800m, 1600m or 3200m, the junior notched personal bests in all three distances, running 2:16.65, 4:51.51 and 10:20.08. The junior also got back to her winning ways, totaling 15 wins over the course of the season.
Less than two weeks ago, Sachs made her return to the grass in dominant fashion, running 16:53.2 at the Under the Lights Invite to win by over a minute. This was Sachs' first time under 17:00 since November of 2022.
College Commitment: N/A
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON GIRLS INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS
*Click on the athlete names below for analysis on each
RANK | ATHLETE |
|---|---|
| 25 | Jessica Jazwinski, Hart (Mich.) |
| 24 | Sophia Rodriguez, Mercer Island (Wash.) |
| 23 | Evelyn Prodoehl, Lakota West (Ohio) |
| 22 | Libby Dowty, Indian Creek (Ind.) |
| 21 | Katelyn Rupe, Salina Central (Kan.) |
| 20 | Chloe Huyler, Lakeridge (Ore.) |
| 19 | Macy Wingard, Denton Braswell (Texas) |
| 18 | Paige Sheppard, Union Catholic Reg. (N.J.) |
| 17 | Holly Barker, Trabuco Hills (SS) (Calif.) |
| 16 | Hanne Thomsen, Montgomery (NC) (Calif.) |
| 15 | Chiara Dailey, La Jolla (SD) (Calif.) |
| 14 | Jaelyn Williams, Eastlake (SD) (Calif.) |
| 13 | Isabella Keller, Effingham (St. Anthony) (Ill.) |
| 12 | Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa (Mich.) |
| 11 | Ella Hagen, Summit (Colo.) |
| 10 | Gianna Rahmer, Eldorado (N.M.) |
| 9 | Claire Stegall, Nolensville (Tenn.) |
| 8 | Abby Faith Cheeseman, The Webb School (Tenn.) |
| 7 | Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (SS) (Calif.) |
| 6 | Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (N.Y.) |
| 5 | Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura (SS) (Calif.) |
| 4 | Emily Wisniewski, Crescent Valley (Ore.) |
| 3 | Jane Hedengren, Timpview (Utah) |
| 2 | Addison Ritzenhein, Niwot (Colo.) |
| 1 | Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion (Texas) |