Girls Coundown to XC Day 3: Buchanan

You can't replace a runner like Meagen Lowe. She had three podium finishes in state meet competition during the 2018-2019 school year, and her leadership will be missed at Buchanan. However, the Bears are lucky to still have a true #1 runner in Corie Smith, who is poised to have her own school year full of medals. Even more important for team success, this team found an infusion of young talent last fall that will help them make the transition to life without Lowe. Meagen was the only senior in the top 7 for Buchanan at the Central Section Finals, but in 2019 Smith leads a group of seniors that should number at least 4 on the varsity squad. Given their recent record of year-round improvement, this year's Bears could actually be better - certainly at the state meet, where the absence of Smith due to illness dropped them to 6th in the Division 1 race, but possibly better overall. Spring season results support that: Buchanan returns 10 girls that ran 12:04 or better for the 3200 and nine that clocked 5:33 or faster in the 1600. With an excellent summer (and the addition of some rising freshmen with serious talent to push the returning top 7), this team could receive NXN consideration, and will certainly be in line for a top 3 finish at the state meet. The Bears aren't going anywhere, and they have unfinished business to motivate them.