Runners to Watch: Mackenzie Pias, Mercy

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? Can Tolland 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 trails?

We begin our Runners to Watch series with the girls. Thanks to MARY ALBI for writing the bios of our athletes.


Mackenzie Pias

Mercy, senior

Consider last year her breakout year. The Mercy High senior turned heads last fall as not only the best runner in the Southern Connecticut Conference but one of the top in the state.

After an inconsistent sophomore campaign, Pias came back strong with a fresh mental outlook on the sport.

She enters her senior year as the reigning SCC champ and Class L state runner-up. She set a course record at the SCC Championships (18:32) last year at Hammonasset State Park and ran 19:05 at the State Open and New England Championships at Wickham Park. She was the fourth runner from Connecticut to cross the finish line at New Englands, finishing 14th overall.

Pias is part of a deep and talented Mercy squad that won the SCC titles both in cross country and indoor and outdoor track last school year.

After a summer of training, including attending the Northeast Kingdom Running Camp in Vermont, Pias will be looking for her second straight conference crown and will contend for one of the top spots in the state.