Countdown to X-C: Emma McMillan, Barrington High

<p> Countdown to 2014 cross-country series.</p>

COUNTDOWN TO X-C

The cross-country season officially started this past week with the first official practice last Monday. During the next week, MileSplit Ri will feature the top boys and girls to watch this season in its Countdown to X-C series. The potential is there for some sizzling times on the trails. Just five runners have graduated from last year's top 14 finishers for both the boys and girls.  

RUNNERS TO WATCH

 

Emma McMillan, junior, Barrington

Unlike most of the elite runners in the state, Emma is not a full-time runner. She’s a swimmer during the winter months and last spring missed the outdoor track season due to a stress fracture.

But when it comes time for cross country you can never count out this Eagle star. In last year’s state championship, Emma won her second straight individual title with a course-record and personal-best time of 17:42.87, about a 22-second improvement from her previous best. As a freshman in 2012, she earned the crown with a then PB of 18:22.99, nearly 17 seconds faster than she had ever run before.

Notice the trend?

During state meet competition Emma always comes to race. Barrington coach Ann Marie Marino indicated that her standout runner is progressing nicely from her injury last spring and should be ready to defend her title at the states in early November. “You know that Emma is always ready,” Marino said. “I would put her up there.”

The competition is definitely fierce with the La Salle trio of Sheridan Wilbur, Eliza Rego and Karina Tavares among her top contenders. But based on her previous history, you got to believe that Emma won’t make it easy for anyone who tries to dethrone her.

Emma's profile

<p> Countdown to 2014 cross-country season.</p>