Class Ranking: Freshman Girls Headlined by a Defending Champ

Familiar Faces Headline The Freshmen Girls Rankings

    The top girls are no stranger to the top of the leaderboards. Each of the top three have already made their names known on the high school level out of middle school. The obvious headliner here is Ciara O'Shea. She's already been a dominant force on the high school cross country scene as an 8th grader last year winning the Class AAA state individual title. Paige Decker is another one to keep your eyes peeled for. After winning her region and finishing 3rd at the Class AA state meet, she could be a real threat for the top spot this year with team title hopes also in the balance. Finally we come to Joy Alexander out of Madisonville-North Hopkins who holds a 19:29.80 PR to her name. Even as they're just now entering High School, all three have potential for some massive improvement this year.

We caught up with Ciara after her win at the Class AAA Cross Country State Meet

    As before mentioned, Ciara O'Shea closed out her in-state cross country competition with a big time state title which just so happened to be her fastest time of the season. For those who have run of the Kentucky Horse Park course know how hard that is, especially towards the end of the season peaking at the perfect time. Not only has she impressed on the grass, she got it done on the oval this past track season as well leaving the middle school ranks for good with a great day at the Middle School State Meet nabbing a gold in the 3200m and 1600m. A few weeks later O'Shea came back to finish runner up in the 3200m at the Class AAA State Meet. Holding PR's of 18:41.90 in the 5k and 11:05.51 in the 3200, she solidifies her spot as not only the top Freshman but quite possibly the top returner overall.

    Competing in Class AA, Paige Decker running for Mason County flies a little under the radar. This season she'll have to show out at some big meets to show everyone she's the real deal, but I have a feeling she'll be able to do just that. Her championship track season was definitely a busy one as she doubled at both the Middle School and KHSAA State Track Meet in the 800m and 1600m. Decker will definitely have another goal in mind thats not just for herself. Mason County has the potential to be a podium team and she can be a big part of that being the top returner in Class AA based off 2018 PR's. Speaking of PR's let's take you through some of hers: 5k: 18:50.60, 1600m: 5:26.37, 800m: 2:25.81. When all is said and done, don't be surprised to see this star freshman on top.

    Joy Alexander has quietly emerged as one of the best young talents in the state. With her 9th place finish at the State Cross Country Meet last year she showed many of us that she was the real deal. If she can get stronger this year she has the ability to make some noise and quite possibly push her way into the top 5 conversation. Her 5k PR came at Tom Sawyer Park in the Greater Louisville Classic crossing the stripe in 19:29.80. She, like Decker, was another busy girl running the 1600-3200 double at both the Middle School State Meet and KHSAA State Meet. 

    

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