From many, there will be one. And while there’s still no guarantee contending athletes will win their own state at this point in the selection process, a number of elite performers are making a case for Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year consideration. Here’s the scoop on the latest top candidate.
Makena Morley
Senior distance runner, Bigfork (Mont.)
Greatness Present: Montanans won’t forget the Morley name for a long time, and not just because three-time returning Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year Makena Morley set the Montana 3-mile standard with a 16:33.20 victory at the Class B state meet (The Montana state association increased the championship distance to three miles—not 5K—in 1986).
Morley, whose father Steve still owns Bigfork High’s 400-meter dash record, has also passed the running bug to her younger siblings. As Makena captured a fourth straight individual state championship this past fall, sister and Bigfork freshman, Bryn, finished second behind Morley, and the duo watched their brother Logan, a junior at Bigfork, win the Class B boys’ title.
At least for now, Makena remains the Morley to beat. Placing fifth at the Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional championships in 19:15.5 and winning the Foot Locker West Regional championship in 17:33.50, the eldest Morley capped her remarkable career with a third-place finish at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 17:29.
Remarkably, in her debut prep cross country season, Bryn made the trip to San Diego as a competitor alongside Makena. The Vikings freshman placed 26th at FLCCC in 18:33 after finishing sixth at both the NXN Northwest Regional in 19:22.3 and Foot Locker West Regional in 18:16.8.
Interestingly, fans of the History Channel show “Modern Marvels” might also recognize the Morley name. Makena’s grandfather Greg and her father Steve (the former Vikings track standout) appeared on the program for their work at Morley Canoes, handcrafting red-cedar-strip boats in Swan Lake, Mont.
Greatness Past: Makena put the Morley name back on the map as a freshman, finishing ninth at FLCCC during her first Gatorade Montana Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year campaign in 2011. She sandwiched this year’s bronze medal-winning performance at the same event around eighth- and 24th-place finishes as a junior and sophomore, respectively, giving her four top-25 finishes nationally.
Greatness Future: As Logan and Bryn put their own stamp on the prep level next season, running enthusiasts in The Treasure State can continue to follow Makena Morley as well, as she has signed to run for the University of Montana’s cross country and track programs.
Make no mistake: The Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year races aren’t over, and the National ROY race isn’t far behind. Check back for daily updates on the top contenders making their case.