In this week's article, we will dive into the high school girls this season who could potentially break the 18:00 minute barrier. To qualify for this group, you have to have a PR under 18:20 already and show CONSISTENCY to run around or under that time.
The first athlete who will break the 18 minutes in the 5k this season is Tula Fawbush from Oldham County. Fawbush finished third last season to Ciara O'Shea and Jessica Secor at last season's KHSAA Class 3A State Cross Country State Championship. She also placed 3rd in the 1600m at the KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championships just 2 weeks ago. Fawbush has already broken the 18:00 minute barrier running 17:42 last year at Saturday Night Lights. At Champs South, Fawbush ran her second fastest time of her career, running 18:14. With another year of training, Fawbush could consistently get under the 18-minute barrier making her the number one contender to break the 18-minute barrier.
The second athlete who could break the 18-minute barrier in the 5k this season is Reagan Gilmore from Assumption. Gilmore did not compete at the State Cross Country Championship this season after she won her region championship. Her average time is also close to the high 18:30's. However, that is largely due to her first 2 races as they were both over 19 minutes. Gilmore's last 3 races of the season were close to the 18:10 mark culminating in her fastest time of 18:07. She also ran a 10:46 3200m this season at the Eastern Relays. If Gilmore continues on that run of form, she could break the 18-minute barrier this season.
The third athlete on this list is Allison Kopser of Ryle. The incoming Junior had a roller coaster ride of a cross country season ranging from 20:30 to 18:09. However, Kopser broke out in the Indoor season where she ran 17:53 at New Balance Nationals Indoor. With this time, Kopser showed that she has what it takes to break the 18-minute barrier, but cross-country is a different animal. If Kopser is able to match that Indoor performance, she could absolutely break the 18-minute barrier in cross country this season.
The fourth athlete on this list who could surpass the 18-minute barrier in cross country this season is Barren County's Chesney McPherson. McPherson is a picture of consistency. Last season, she ran a PR of 18:12, however, McPherson also ran 6 more times between 18:15 and 18:28. After this, McPherson showcased more of that signature consistency, posting 2 of her 3 3200m runs in 10:53. From last season, McPherson shaved close to 40 seconds off her PR. If that trend continues, McPherson could join the elusive sub-18-minute club.
The final athlete on this list is Addison Moore of Woodford County. Like McPherson, Moore is also a picture of consistency running under 19 in every one of her races this season. Her best performance of the season came from the CKC - Central Kentucky Conference where she ran 18:19. Moore followed up her amazing cross-country season by running a 10:41 3200m. A 10:41 shows that Moore has the potential to run sub 18 minutes this coming cross country season giving her a spot on this list.
Honorable Mentions
Olivia Holbrook, Junior, Campbell County