(Grace Hartman and Ella Gilson have had spirited battles during the last two D2 state meets)
Our Division 2 pre-season polls closed on Monday night, and, on the girl's side, it was two-time state meet runner-up, Grace Hartman who secured the top spot. The junior from Oakwood garnered just over 15% of the votes to edge Fairfield Union senior, Madison Eyman, who collected 14+%. Two-time reigning individual state champ, Ella Gilson, who figures to be a major factor again this season, placed fifth with 9% of those who submitted choices.
For the team category, Waynesville led the way with close to 42% of the votes (214 in total). They're ranked fourth in our pre-season rankings, which were recently released.
The state's cross country fans think it could be McDermott-Northwest's year in boys competition, as they pocketed both the team and individual honors.
They were the 14th place team at the 2019 state meet and check-in at No. 10 in our pre-season breakdown. Standing in their way will be perennial title favorites, Woodridge, along with high quality teams from Unioto, Heath, along with many others.
Individually, Landen Smith claimed an impressive 2,140 vote tally to outpace Kevin Agnew, who earned a substantial number in his own right. The senior from Carroll took was the selection of 1,819 voters. Smith placed 11th last year at the National Trail Raceway with a personal best mark of 16:04.80.