We took an uber talented list of 22 great runners, and after a greater dive into the numbers, we have concluded that four runners are in the finalist pool: Paden Bell (Commerce), Ellie Gearing (White), Katherine Law (Jefferson), and reigning Runner of the Year Zoe Sanchez (Union). Of the finalists, Sanchez was a state champion (for a second year in a row), and Bell was a runner-up.

WHAT’S NEXT? Our internal voting panel votes Heisman-style for the winner. This is NOT a public vote.

Paden Bell (Commerce FR)

PR 20:56; Area Champion (21:21); State Runner-Up (21:46); 2 1^st Place Finishes; 7 Top-5s; 8 Top-10s; 9 Top-20s

Ellie Gearing (White SR)

PR 19:42; Region 13^th (20:18); State 24th (21:18); 2 Top-10s; 5 Top-20s

Katherine Law (Jefferson SO)

PR 18:36; Region Champion (20:29); State 11th (20:53); 2 1^st Place Finishes; 5 Top-5s; 6 Top-10s; 9 Top-20s (all races)

Zoe Sanchez (Union SR)

PR 19:03; Region Champion (20:35); State Champion (20:06); 5 1^st Place Finishes; 8 Top-5s (all races)