The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?

Sarah Baxter
Sophomore, Simi Valley High (Simi Valley, CA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 4th (Div. II)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—17:08

2011 Nike Cross Nationals Finals (Place—time): 1^st—17:38

Vanessa Fraser
Junior, Scotts Valley High (Scotts Valley, CA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 10th (Div. IV)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—17:46

Julia Maxwell
Sophomore, Branson School (Ross, CA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 7th (Div. V)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—17:52

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 18^th—18:56

Hagen Reedy
Junior, Buchanan High (Clovis, CA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 13th (Div. I)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—17:27

2011 Nike Cross Nationals Finals (Place—time): 7th—17:57

Carrie Verdon
Senior, Campolindo High (Moraga, CA)

2011 Team postseason standing: 4th (Div. III)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1^st—17:19

Winning the state meet isn't a prerequisite for Gatorade State Cross Country Runner of the Year, so here are some more of many other harriers whose performances this past season vaulted them into the conversation during this 2011 campaign.

Karlie Garcia: Junior, Oakmont High (Roseville, CA)
Karis Frankian: Senior, Saugus High (Santa Clarita, CA)
Nikki Hiltz: Junior, Aptos High (Aptos, CA)
Cami Chapus: Senior, Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, CA)

Think we're missing a deserving Gatorade State Runner of the Year candidate in your state? Let us know via e-mail at ESPNHS_GPOY@ESPN.com or Twitter @ESPNHS_Awards.