While top girls distance runners such as Beth Taye, Brit Lang, and Haley Wright may have graduated from the high school running scene in Maryland this past spring, the potential of a new crop of rising stars in the upcoming 2020 class of freshmen look to eventually fill the shoes left by those recently departed elites.
Or in the case of Lacey Eden. She may already be at their level. As a 14 year old, Eden ran incredible times over the summer age group track season including a 4:35 1500 (converts to 4:55 1600) and 10:04 3K (converts to 10:48 3200). Both times which rank her right among the top 5 high school returnees in the state of Maryland.
At the USATF Junior Olympic Championships in Sacramento one month ago, Eden finished third in the 1500 meter finals for the 13-14 age group group girls and fourth in the 3K run. Impressive double against the nation's best at her age group to project her as someone that could potentially be an athlete that can compete nationally as she progresses into high school.
Event 306 1500 Meter Run 13-14 Division Girls
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Nat'l: N 4:28.61 7/29/2005 Jordan Hassay, San Luis Distance
JO Meet: J 4:28.61 7/29/2005 Jordan Hassay, San Luis Distance
Name Year Team Prelims Finals
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Finals
1 Fauria, Isabella 16 Sacrament 4:37.57 4:33.42
2 Foerster, Chloe 13 37-Unatta 4:45.38 4:34.80
3 Eden, Lacey 03 10-Unatta 4:37.53 4:35.01 Event 307 3000 Meter Run 13-14 Division Girls
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Nat'l: N 9:35.12 7/30/2005 Jordan Hasay, San Luis Dstnce
JO Meet: J 9:35.12 7/30/2005 Jordan Hassay, San Luis Distance
Name Year Team Seed Finals H#
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1 Del Re, Alexandra 04 Bta Track 10:24.71 9:54.76 2
2 Atkinson, Sophie 12 Track Hou 10:40.76 9:57.10 2
3 Fernandez, Alexis 15 Pacific C 10:03.47 10:01.66 2
4 Eden, Lacey 03 10-Unatta 10:37.77 10:04.13 2
Eden will be attending Archbishop Spalding this fall in Severn and should make an instant impact near the front of every race that she jumps into this season. Will be interesting to see what her and her team's racing schedule will be this fall to see what other top high school runners that she will be match up with.
She happens to live in the same hometown of arguably the current #1 ranked runner in the state of Maryland in senior as well as 2015 Foot Locker finalist Maria Coffin as both reside in Annapolis.
Previously attending Indian Creek Middle School, Eden dominated the local middle school cross country and track scene along with additional top finishes at AAU and USATF national championship meets. She won last year's Anne Arundel County Middle School Championships in cross country by 34 seconds on a two mile course (11:24). Her athleticism and talents go beyond running as she also happens to be an elite hockey player as well.
Know of any other impactful freshmen coming onto the high school cross country scene this fall? Let us know!