With nearly half of the Foot Locker West National Team returning from '06, the expectations are high in '07. Jordan Hasay is the number one ranked harrier of course, after her however, the rankings get a little more complex. Every year the West seems to have a lot of young ladies who put up some very impressive numbers, and this year should be no different.
MileSplit's Foot Locker Power Rankings - West Girls
1. Jordan Hasay (Jr., Mission Prep, CA) - The pre-season favorite to once again take home the FL National title, Hasay had a huge spring track season that saw her run 10:07 for the full two mile and 4:43 in the mile. She also put on an impressive showing at USATF Junior Nationals, where she won the 1500m race in a meet record 4:16, and dominating the field in a way few have seen before. It was impressive to say the least. Last fall, Hasay came up short of defending her FL National title, where she finished a disappointing tenth. This year, strong, focused and determined, Hasay will make the march back to San Diego and could come up with another national title.
2. Christine Babcock (Sr., Woodbridge, CA) - The fast one just keeps getting faster. Babcock ran some amazing performances in the spring. Her 4:38 1600m was the second fastest time in the nation, while her 10:15 3200m mark made her the third fastest athlete in the country. Those types of times don't happen very often, but Babock just keeps on rolling. She won her state championship last fall, only running slower than Hasay on the day (who was in a different division). Foot Locker should be her goal all season long, where if everything falls into line, Babcock could very well be the new Foot Locker National Champion.
3. Jessica Tonn (So., Xavier, AZ) - A state finalist, a FL finalist, a sub-10:40 two miler and the number two returnee behind one of the best runners this country has ever seen. That is quite an impressive resume for only a sophomore. Tonn did some amazing things last year as a freshman, and the future looks bright for this rising star. Arizona is such a strong state this year, that Tonn will have no problem finding competition. Her own team has another FL finalist favorite, with Sarah Penney. Those two can help each other with their strengths balancing each other out.
4. Nadya Bishton (Sr., Mountain Ridge, AZ) - As the number three returnee from FLW last year, and as a top twenty finisher from FL Nationals, Bishton will be one to watch as the season carries on. Her spring was impressive, but not as impressive as some may have thought. Her 10:42 3200m time is a great mark though. Regardless, with a twin sister to train with, and some great in-state competition, Bishton will be ready to rise again come FL West Regional time.
5. Nastia Bishton (Sr., Mountain Ridge, AZ) - Running fast all spring, Nastia put up some great marks. Her 10:37 two mile mark at Arcadia was a good indicator of the steps she is taking to get better. While her sister took home many of the accolades last fall, Nastia has stepped right back up to Nadya's level and the two should run stride for stride much of the fall. Sisters stick together, and with that type of attitude, they should both qualify for FL Nationals.
6. Elizabeth Coe (Sr., Fountain Valley, CA) - Last year, Coe seemed to be happy just to make Foot Locker Nationals. It is one of the best experiences a runner could ever have with the way the whole weekend is set up. However, this year Coe should be looking for something greater, especially improving upon her 34th place finish at FL Nationals. Coe won last year's DI state championship, but will need something a bit more to hold off other runners like Kauren Tarver.
7. Kauren Tarver (Sr., Serrano, CA) - The two-time Foot Locker Finalist will be looking to get back to San Diego one last time. During her freshman and sophomore years, Tarver finished in the top fifteen at FL Nationals, with an amazing fifth place effort her sophomore year. Last year, Tarver missed qualifying again just barely, despite having to deal with injuries, and should be using that as extra motivation this year. Her spring was filled with fine performances, as she ran 2:14 in the 800m and 4:48 in the 1600m. Look for Tarver to challenge Coe much of the season, and for those two to work together to qualify for FL Nationals.
8. Nicole Cochran (Sr. Bellarmine, WA) - The top runner in Washington just keeps on improving. Cochran had a nice fall last year, but her spring is what should really excite the experts. Cochran not only won the Washington State 1600 and 3200, but she did it with some phenominal times. Her 10:35 ranks her among the elite in the nation, and a 4:55 1600 means she has some nice leg speed to go with that strength. Cochran is the favorite to take home the 4A title in Washington and will challenge for a national spot.
9. Lindsay Prescott (Sr., O'Connor, AZ) - Last year's Arizona cross country state champion missed out on qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals. This year however, her goals should be much higher, as she not only needs to focus on making FL Nationals, but also will be focusing on getting her team to Nike Team Nationals. She has a lot on her plate this fall, but she has won before.
10. Leah Francis (So., Juneau, AK) - The number eight returnee from last year's FL West Regionals, Francis will be one of the overlooked ladies when she lines up on December 1 to try and qualify for FL Nationals. That is ok though. Francis knows she is good, and is the top runner by far again this fall in Alaska, especially after dominating the competition at her state track meet, winning the 1600 and 3200 by a lot. Hopefully Francis can travel down to the lower-forty-eight once her season is done (since Alaska end incredibly early) and get a bit more experience.
11. Katy Daly (Jr., St. Ignatius, CA) - A big time 10:32 3200m effort this past spring, should bode well for the number two returnee in DII. Daly will have plenty of competition to go through this fall before she can claim a FL Nationals spot. Some excellent racing this spring should help her quite a bit though on the fields of California.
12. Bronwyn Crossman (Sr., Squalicom, WA) - The defending 3A Washington state champ will be looking to build upon that success this fall. Her spring was a fine one as well, as she ran a nice PR of 10:35 in the 3200m run. Crossman will come across some challenges this fall from fellow competitors, but those should only make her better.
Others To Keep An Eye On:
Arizona
Sarah Penney (Jr., Xavier) - It is always hard to discount someone that has so much obvious natural talent and works hard to nurture it along. Penney showed her wide range of abilities this spring, as she ran 2:11 in the 800m dash and 10:39 in the 3200m at her state championships. With training partner, FLW #3 Jessica Tonn, to work with every day, Penney may finish very high up come the first of December.
California
Shelby Buckley (Sr., Corona Del Mar) - The top returnee in DIII this fall, Buckley had a great spring, filled with some speedy times. A 4:45 1600m effort ranked her as one of the top milers in the land, and a 2:09 ranks her right up there as well. That speed will come in handy if she has to outkick a few young women to earn a FL Nationals birth.
Alex Dunne (Jr., San Clemente) - The junior will need to be a frontrunner all fall if her and her team hope to make the presitgious Nike Team Nationals. As one of the ranked teams in the land, Dunne will need those low points in ever meet. She has the numbers to do so, running 10:48 in the two mile and 10:38 in the 3200m this spring.
Stephanie Felix (Sr., La Mirada) - A 10:37 in the 3200m run and a number six returnee FL Regional status would in most years put someone over the edge and into the Power Rankings top 12. However, there are just so many great individuals this year. Felix is the second returnee in DII this fall. If she wins a state title, you can almost be assured she will make FL Nationals.
Vanessa Hancock (Sr., Brea. Olin.) - The number nine returnee from last year's FL West Regional, Hancock is also the number four returnee in DII in California. Her 10:53/4:54 efforts are solid, but she will need to get a bit faster if she hopes to qualify for FL Nationals.
Claire Collison (Sr., Crescenta Valley) - The number four returnee in DI will have some high expectations. Not only is she one of the top girls this year in California, but she has magnificant numbers from the spring to back it up. She blazed 10:44 and 4:50 during her track season.
Jacque Taylor (So., Casa Grande) - One of the best freshman performers in the country during the spring, Taylor could have a mighty impressive fall as well. Her 10:34 3200m effort is one of the top times in the nation.
Idaho
Nicole Nielsen (Jr., Borah) - The top runner in Idaho has proved time and time again that she can compete. Nielsen finished right behind her teammate last year at the Idaho State Cross Country Championships. This year, she is the heavy favorite to win, beating the number two returnee by over half a minute last fall. State championships in the 1600 and 3200 this spring only solidify her place in Idaho.
Utah
Candace Eddy (Jr., Davis) - A track star for the past few years, Eddy ran an impressive 4:49 mile this past spring. However, she needs a bit more strength if she hopes to really make a push at Foot Locker Nationals. She should be the pre-season favorite to take home the state championship in Utah, despite her fifth place finish last fall.
Shayla Kipp (Jr., Skyline) - The defending state champ in the largest division can not be counted out when it comes to qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals. Utah always seems to have one or two girls that are pushing for a qualifying spot, and Kipp is one of the favorites to do just that.
Washington
Andrea Nelson (So., Shadle Park) - The incoming sophomore had a huge freshman campaign, that should help carry her well into the fall. Nelson not only had a solid track season, running a state duo of 10:48 (3200) and 5:00 (1600), but she also was second in the 4A state cross country meet and is the top returnee.
Lisa Olander (Jr., West Valley) - Olander found some speed during the track season. Her 4:51 1600m effort at the Washington State Meet should help her on the fields this fall. She finished second behind FLW #12 Crossman in state cross country last year and should challenge her once more.