By Brandon Miles

Breaking the course record at the historic McQuaid Invitational (16:43 3 miles) at the end of September then running the fastest time of the day at one of the nation's largest meets in the Manhattan Invitational (14:18 2.5 miles) has reigning New York state champ Jessica Lawson of Corning looking like the top sophomore girls cross country runner currently in the country. Is it really that surprising after Lawson set the freshmen national record indoor 5K record last winter in 17:08? She will attempt to set herself up to become a four-time New York state cross country champ if she can grab her second title next month as a 10th grader with two more years to go.

Each month, MileSplit will be selecting 21 sophomore girls as part of the Future Stars of XC Team presented by Hoka One One building into the end of season team to be finalized in early December. Check out the top sophomore girls XC performers nationally from the first month of cross country below split into a first, second, and third team of Future Stars.

Future Stars of XC Sophomore Girls Team of October presented by Hoka One

Davis sophomore Aubrey Argyle nearly claimed her first state title, but Lucy Biles was not to be denied her 3rd straight Utah cross country state title with Argyle closing, but finishing two seconds off Biles in 17:43 (3 miles) on Wednesday. However, the next two years certainly appears to Argyle's time to win and dominate in the state of Utah as she completed a very strong sophomore regular season of cross country with a handful of sub 18 minute races and now turns her attention to the post-season with her nationally ranked Davis squad. 

Future Stars of XC by Hoka One One - Sophomore Girls 1st Team

Aubrey Argyle (Davis UT)

Libby Davidson (E.C. Glass VA)

Briana Gess (Haddonfield Memorial NJ)

Lauren Gregory (Fort Collins CO)

Alexa Haff (Hinsdale Central IL)

Julia Heymach (Houston Lamar TX)

Jessica Lawson (Corning NY)

Abby Colbert was a state runner-up twice as a freshmen to one of the West Virginia all-time greats in Amelia Paladino last year in cross country as well as the 3200 outdoors. With Paladino graduated, the Jefferson (WV) sophomore Colbert is progressing nicely on a similar path to greatness. Her season has included several wins including a most recent 17:25 5K PR in her conference meet, but her most impressive race may have came in the lone race she lossed in finishing second to only World Junior 3K finalist Weini Kelati at the Oatlands Invitational in late September.

Future Stars of XC by Hoka One One - Sophomore Girls 2nd Team

Marianne Abdalah (Vincentian Academy PA)

Abby Colbert (Jefferson WV)

Ally Geisler (Davis UT)

Claire Graves (Citrus Valley CA)

Ashton Endsley (Abilene TX)

Ana Sophia Keller (St. Anthony IL)

Sarah Platek (Ragsdale NC)

Virginia has several sophomores among their state's best including likes of defending 4A state champ Libby Davidson and now an emerging contender for the 6A state title in Patriot sophomore Rachel McArthur. After a big PR and top 10 run of 18:18 in mid-September down at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, North Carolina, McArthur has taken her running to even another level in her last two races. In horrid course conditions due to significant rainfall at the Glory Days Grill Invite, McArthur was able to navigate her way to a 18:40 win on a course that was running at least 45 seconds slow. She validated that she truly was ready to run sub 18 last weekend on a fast course in ideal conditions at the Third Battle Invitational finishing second to only US top 10 ranked and Manhattan Invite Eastern States race winner Weini Kelati in a PR time of 17:51.

Future Stars of XC by Hoka One One - Sophomore Girls 3rd Team

Briahna Gerlach (Glenallen AK)

Kyle Keefe (Chariho Regional RI)

Taylor Nicholson (Avon IN)

Rachel McArthur (Patriot VA)

Allie Schadler (Rio Rico AZ)

Erin Ripple (Holy Names Academy WA)

Kayla Young (Denver North CO)