Girls' cross country: Top 11 Bloomington area runners to watch in '22 - The Herald-Times

At some point, it will be crisp and cool, but for now it's hot and hazy and so we look ahead to the 2022 girls' cross country season by taking a look at the top 11 runners we're keeping an eye on this year:

Rachel Allison, Bloomington North, Sr.

Top 2021 time: 18:56.3

Took a hold of the lead role for the Cougars last year in three of her four postseason races, and along with Nola Somers Glenn and now graduated Bea Cakmak, gave North a formidable trio.

Kate Barada, Bloomington South, Jr.

Top 2021 time: 20:09.9

Earned her first All-Area nod last season as the No. 2 runner for Panthers, who had just one senior in their top seven last year and will add Callahan to the mix in hopes of returning to state.

Ruth Bartlett, Bloomington North, So.

Top 2021 time: 20:30.0

Worked way into the varsity lineup as the steady No. 5 runner through state series and will be part of a team looking for for better depth this year after losing just one senior.

Lillyanna Blais, Eastern Greene, So.

Top 2021 time: 19:21.2

Showed she was ready to take on the big-school runners last year with top-10 finishes at sectional and regional. Ended up just 14 seconds away from making it to state. Look for her to make that leap this year.

Emma Callahan, Bloomington South, Sr.

Top 2021 time: NA

Missed all of last season but she was right with teammate Lily Myers as a sophomore. Despite a COVID shortened track season, won a sectional title in track in the 1,600. So if she can stay healthy, should be a low stick Panthers can count on.

Clara Crain, Edgewood, Sr.

Top 2021 time: 18:46.8

Mustangs are hoping to welcome Crain back for an entire season this time. She made the most of the limited time she had last year after a June injury, making a run to the top 40 at state. She'll be after a medal this time but will have to do it without benefit of a junior track season, which she lost due to a possible stress fracture/reaction.

Nola Somers Glenn, Bloomington North, Jr.

Top 2021 time: 19:04.4

Has made strong improvements each of her first two years and figures to take another big step this time. She'll team up with Allison to pace the Cougars this year. She's coming off a track season that ended with a fifth place finish at state in the 800 and a school record (2:13.97).

Clara Graham, Bloomington South, Jr.

Top 2021 time: 20:35.8

Filled No. 4 spot for Panthers last season and along with sophomores Grace Stringer and Elizabeth Markley will give South some stronger depth this time around. Made regional in 1,600 last spring.

Riley Haskett, Edgewood, Jr.

Top 2021 time: 21:24.6

She'll be an important piece for the Mustangs who will lose three varsity regulars to graduation. Haskett was the team's usual No. 3 finisher. She was 14th at the WIC Meet and set her career best at last year's semistate.

Lily Myers, Bloomington South, Sr.

Top 2021 time: 18:32.2

Coming off a terrific junior year that saw her medal at cross country state (14th) and nearly do so in the 3,200 in track (10th), but she did crush the school record, running a 10:47.37 at state. She'll be one of the top three runners coming out of the Brown County Semistate.

Aubrey Yake, Bloomington North, Jr.

Top 2021 time: 19:44.0

Rounded out the top five for much of last year for Cougars, but was the No. 4 finisher for North at state. Competed in Unified Track in the spring.