1:45

Last year was Meriel Rowland's first full cross country season and it ended with a 15th place finish in the Division II Class AA State Championship crossing the finish line in 20:08. On Saturday, the junior from Hutchison School returned to Sanders Ferry Park and won the Gold Varsity Division with the help of a 1:45 improvement on her time from last November. Her 18:23 would've finished 2nd to only Bella Guillamondegui who won last year's state championship in 18:22. Championship racing is different than PR racing but Rowland's yellow jersey will be hard to take your eyes off of as she'll stick out like a sore thumb among the green and red jersey's of Harpeth Hall, Webb School of Knoxville, and Baylor who are likely going to join her in the lead pack next month.