Grace Connolly, Natick
Foot Locker Northeast Regionals
Connolly was fourth in this race last year as a sophomore and is one of the favorites to win it all this time around. The Natick star copped her second straight individual crown at last week's All State Final. She has won most of her races by at least a minute, clocking fast times despite none of her rivals pushing her. That will be different at this Saturday's race as Connolly is ranked No. 4 among the talent that will toe the line at Van Cortlandt. Connolly is about as consistent as they come when it comes to any competition and we expect that consistency to continue this weekend with another strong race. A few of the key runners she'll be contending with for a top placement are New Hampshire's Jackie Gaughan (Exeter), Pennslyvania's Marlee Starlipper (Northern) and New York's Katherine Lee (Shoreham-Wading). Gaughan, who won her second straight state title a few weeks ago, was a runner-up at last year's regional meet and followed that performance by taking 11th overall at the nationals. Starlipper is the PA state champion and a 4:51 miler. Lee, who won the Nike Cross Nationals New York Regionals last year, claimed the Class B title at the NY State Meet and was second at the Ocean State Invitational back in October.