The high school cross-country season officially begins next week for Connecticut athletes.
During the last few days, MileSplit CT featured the top schools from each class in the Nutmeg State. In the coming weeks, we'll highlight the individuals to keep an eye on for the upcoming 2015 campaign. Can Staples' Hannah DeBlasi finish off her outstanding career with an unprecedented fourth straight state crown? How strong will Tolland be this year? Can it win its third consecutive class title and fifth straight state crown. You be the judge by some of its talented harriers who will be returning to the trials? They have a powerful 1-2-3 punch.
We'll begin our Runners to Watch series with the girls. Thanks to MARY ALBI for writing the bios of our athletes.
Allison McArdle
Senior, Glastonbury
The No. 1 runner for Glastonbury last year, McArdle placed fourth at the CCC Championships (19:49.63) and fourth at the Class LL meet (19:47), leading Glastonbury to a state title.
McArdle ran a season-best time of 19:06 at the State Open to capture eighth and finished 23rd at the New England Championships (19:16).
McArdle, who will be a senior this year, had a solid track season where she captured 13th in the 3,200 (11:25.44) at the State Open and then was part of the second-place 4x800 relay team at the New England Championships (9:17.56).
McArdle is part of a historically-rich Glastonbury program that enters the season having won three Class LL state titles and runner-up twice since 2010. Expect her to help lead Glastonbury to its third straight Class LL crown.