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?

Claudia Saunders
Senior, Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio)

2011 Team postseason standing: DNQ (Division I)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:04.50

2011 Nike Cross Nationals regional (Place—time): 5th—18:39.60
2011 Nike Cross Nationals Finals (Place—time): 74th—19:02

Sarra Taylor
Sophomore, London (Ohio)

2011 Team postseason standing: DNQ (Division II)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:19.14

Brittany Atkinson
Freshman, Liberty Center (Youngstown, Ohio)

2011 Team postseason standing: 1st (Division III)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:27.51

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.

Elyse Bierut: Senior, Rocky River (Ohio)
Rachel Bosworth: Sophomore, Coffman (Dublin, Ohio)
Anna Boyert: Senior, Medina (Ohio)
Jacquelyn Crow: Sophomore, Lebanon (Ohio)
Therese Haiss: Junior, Solon (Ohio)
Monica Lake: Senior, Mason (Ohio)
Sydney Leiher: Junior, Beavercreek (Ohio)
Kayla Scott: Senior, Canal Winchester (Ohio)
Hayley Stegemiller: Senior, Lebanon (Ohio)

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.