Emma Atkinson, Wayzata (MN)
The top runner for the powerhouse Trojans, Emma Atkinson will look to be the top team finisher. Atkinson was fifth in the Heartland region last season, and has been even better this season. She's coming off three consecutive sub-18:00 runs, a feat she only accomplished once last season before NXR. At the Class AA State Meet, Atkinson came a hair short of replicating her third place finish from 2017, barely being outleaned by Anna Fenske. However, her time was actually a few seconds faster than last year, indicating that she's on pace to run similar to what she accomplished last season. In many cases, Atkinson (and the rest of her Wayzata squad) go out conservatively compared to the rest of the field and slowly make their way up to the front. If the pace goes out too fast, Atkinson may be favored for a better finish. That also brings the potential danger of being boxed in, so pay attention to Atkinson's early positioning on Sunday.