MDRUNNERS.COM First Team All-State 2006 - Countdown to Runner of the Year: Nos. 5, 4 & 3

The No. 5, No. 4 and No. 3 picks for First Team All-State are listed below.

First Team All-State; Pick No. 5

Morgane Gay, Junior
Walt Whitman
Championships: Montgomery County -- #1 | 4A West -- #2 | 4A State -- #2
Morgane Gay, now frequently considered to be one of the most underrated athletes in the state, scored a surprise win at the Montgomery County Championships that launched an ideal championship campaign. The county win came after regular season losses to county athletes like Cara Harrison (Quince Orchard) and Emma Eckerstrom (Northwest) - both of whom she soundly defeated at all three championship meets. Gay is one of just two First Team All-State members that are not graudating seniors.

First Team All-State; Pick No. 4

Katie Hursey, Senior
North Carroll
Championships: MVAL Chesapeake -- #1 | Carroll County -- #1 | 3A West -- #1 | 3A State -- #2
Hursey's only in-state loss this year came at the very conclusion of the season, when a cunning race by season-long competitor Liz McCarter (Mount Hebron) caught Hursey off guard, preventing her from capturing her second state title. Overall the athlete had a sucessful season, one that included four season wins over Liz McCarter.