Girls Preview
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The Favorites
In essence, we see this as a three-horse race. The two from the podium at NXN will get their rematch on more solid footing, while California will be sending its best to keep those two from replicating their podium finish places from the week before.
Elizabeth Leachman is the defending Foot Locker Champion, and in most years, that would make her the odds-on favorite. However, she's had a year of unfortunate illness and slight injury to derail her campaign. She's rounding back into form, but isn't the dominant force from a year ago. There is one silver lining, though. She finished much better in 2024 at NXN than she did in 2023, where she was able to bounce back from a 15th-place finish to win here. She also has one more week of recovery under her belt, to improve upon her third-place finish in Portland.
She's chasing Victoria Garces, however, whose lowest placing of the year was the second place she took at NXN. Garces has otherwise been undefeated in 2024, and not by being untested. She won her State Meet over a strong field, then went on to be the only female athlete to win both NXR and Foot Locker Regionals. She's been steadily improving, and been able to handle all conditions, so a fast day in San Diego will be welcome.
That being said, California is the home turf of Chiara Dailey, and her legs don't have the stress of the mud at NXN under them. She finished second at the West Regional, but again, it should be stressed, that that was only a qualifier. Dailey torched the Woodward Park Course at the California State Meet, running faster than some all-time greats in California history. Not only that, both Leachman and Garces got the benefit of a Speed Rating bump from NXN. Dailey's best race is yet to come, and we could see her lead from the front.
The Rest
There are plenty of strong athletes in the field, looking for a big day. Both Caroline Barton and Jess Jazwinski have limited racing in their legs, and could pop a big performance on their first major outing. Virginia Kraus is undefeated outside a second-place finish at Paul Short, and is looking to keep the streak alive. Lilly Beshears is the third-best finisher in the field at NXN, and could improve on more solid footing.
Based on NXN Finish
Related:
Elizabeth Leachman, A Week Wiser, Wins Foot Locker Nationals
Foot Locker Nationals Interview: Elizabeth Leachman On Her Win, Strategy And More
Gonzalez, Garces Stay Undefeated at Foot Locker MW Regional
Five PA Runners Qualify for Foot Locker Nationals
Photos, Video, Results & More: 2024 NXN
RXC5 Recap: Texas Runners and Bishop Steal the Show
Zariel Macchia Enjoys Her Final XC States Experience