Athlete: Molly Born
Year: 2018
School: Shawnee Mission Northwest, KS
Analysis: Molly Born was one spot off qualifying for NXN last fall, but the rising junior at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas enters this cross country season with some serious speed. She improved her 1600m from 5:06 to 4:49 and her 3200m from 10:51 as a freshman to 10:20.22 this spring! She ran that 10:20 mark to win the Kansas state championship and break the 37-year-old state record. Born's historic run earned her a spot at the Brooks PR Invitational, where she ran 10:11.36 for two miles to finish fifth overall.
Fellow Kansas star Cailie Logue is the top returner to NXN after a surprise third-place finish last year, but don't surprised to see Born nipping at her heels.