Jessica Lawson (Corning, NY)
Rising junior Jessica Lawson suffered from a foot injury this spring, but was one of the top cross country runners in the tough state of New York last fall. She was runner-up to Bella Burda (graduated) at both the New York state meet and the NY Federation Championships, then again at NXR-NY, though she surpassed the senior at NXN, where she placed 26th in 18:14. Lawson was a two-time New York state champion as a freshman in XC and the outdoor 3k (9:41.55 PR). If her injury issues are resolved, then she is pegged to be the best in the Empire State and by virtue of that designation, one of the best in the nation.