Watch Kelsey Chmiel and Katherine Lee battle at the NXN New York Regional.
The Challengers
Kate Murphy | Lake Braddock, VA | SENIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #3
The Oregon commit developed into one of the nation's best-ever high school track stars this past year, as she ran PRs of 4:07.21 for 1500m (#3 all-time) and 9:10.51 for 3K (#8 all-time). Murphy has always been stronger in track than cross country, but Murphy has proven she's in the best shape of her life by breaking the Virginia state meet record in 17:08. She was 24th at NXN as a sophomore and 16th as a junior. This year, she'll likely put herself in contention for the individual title with team aspirations also on the line for her #8 ranked Lake Braddock squad.
Kelsey Chmiel | Saratoga Springs, NY | SOPHOMORE
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #2
With Kansas state champion Cailie Logue out due to illness, Kelsey Chmiel is actually the top returner to Portland as she placed fourth as a freshman last year behind Katie Rainsberger (now of Oregon), Logue and Ella Donaghu (now of Stanford). The Saratoga Springs sophomore likes to take the pace out hard, so you'll likely see her at the front of the pack on Saturday. She has broken several records this season, most notably a 16:41.72 run at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Park, though she took her first defeat last weekend at the NXN New York Regional to Katherine Lee.
Katherine Lee | Shoreham-Wading River, NY | JUNIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: Not Ranked
Who is Katherine Lee? The junior has 4:28 1500m and 9:39 3K track credentials, but she competes in Class B so while she has run undefeated all fall, she hasn't faced any of the Empire State's big names. Her 14:19 4K was the third-fastest time at the Manhattan Invitational and she rolled to a stunning 16:45 5K performance at the Brown Northeast Invitational. She also ran 18:17 at Sunken Meadows, the 12th-fastest time in the tough course's history. She won the Class B state title but skipped Feds, so her first test of the year was at NXN New York, where she stalked frontrunner Kelsey Chmiel before charging to a convincing win after 3K, 17:44.8 to 17:56.8. Lee is an untested talent.
Allie Schadler | Rio Rico, AZ | SENIOR
Saucony Flo50 Ranking: #6
The University of Washington commit is the only girl on this list who has actually raced Oakley. She lost to the No. 1 ranked runner, 16:56 to 17:17 at NXN Southwest, though reportedly rolled her ankle in the first mile. She also won the Woodbridge XC Classic Rated Race in 16:26.3; only Oakley and Claudia Lane ran faster: 15:53.6 and 16:16.7 in the Sweepstakes. The Arizona native was injured last fall and did not attempt to qualify for any post-season competitions but in 2014, she placed 17th at NXN as a sophomore. She might not post a challenge to Oakley, but she's a near-lock for top 10.
Watch Allie Schadler run 16:26 to win the rated race at the Woodbridge XC Classic: