Mia Cochran went up against an elite field and came away with one of the top XC 5K times in state history.
The Moon Area senior and two-time defending PIAA Class AAA state champion went to Queen Creek, Arizona on Friday for the Desert Twilight XC Festival and placed seventh in the "Sweepstakes" race in a time of 17:11. Lauren Ping of Desert Vista (AZ) claimed the win in 16:40.
For Cochran it's a new XC 5K PR, bettering her previous best from the Red, White & Blue Classic by 15 seconds. It's also the fourth fastest PR all-time time in the MileSplit database, trailing only Marlee Starliper (16:30 in 2019), Lois Brommer (16:43 in 1981) and Lynne Strauss (16:59 in 1981).
Cochran will be the big favorite to win her third straight PIAA Class AAA XC state title in November and her first few races are a sign that she's in some of the best shape of her career.
| PLACE | ATHLETE | TEAM | RESULT | POINTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lauren Ping | 11 | Desert Vista High School | 16:40.40 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Bethany Michalak | 10 | Air Academy High School | 16:54.80 | 2 | ||
| 3 | Mia Prok | 10 | Niwot High School | 17:06.40 | 3 | ||
| 4 | Emily Lamontagne | 11 | Arapahoe High School | 17:09.20 | 4 | ||
| 5 | Samantha Blair | 12 | Eagle Valley High School | 17:09.90 | 5 | ||
| 6 | Madison Shults | 11 | Niwot High School | 17:11.50 | 6 | ||
| 7 | Mia Cochran | 12 | Moon Area | 17:11.80 | 0 | ||
| 8 | Eva Klingbeil | 12 | Niwot High School | 17:19.10 | 7 | ||
| 9 | Ava Mitchell | 11 | Arapahoe High School | 17:20.40 | 8 | ||
| 10 | Mia Hall | 11 | Flagstaff High School | 17:22.50 | 9 | ||
