Topeka Washburn Rural's Avery Clifton is the best female distance runner in the state of Kansas. Period. After today there are no arguments from me and there will not be anytime in the future. Clifton took everything Carroll freshman Kaelyn Balch could throw at her and ran away with the race in a blistering 13:48 4 kilometer time. Balch’s 14:01 in the same race is worthy of national XC headlines as well.
The Cessna Activities Center course is right in length and is not flat by any means. Clifton and Balch destroyed the course. Cross Country times are very tenuous things because courses differ in lengths and difficulties, but I don’t think that anyone can argue that Clifton and Balch are head and shoulders above the rest of the girls in the state right now.
Here is a little perspective on what sub-14 in the 4k means.
I run for Friends University and my coach said he had only ever heard of one other girl breaking 14 minutes in the 4k during high school. The girl’s name is Alissa McKaig (she did it twice in high school) and last fall she set the NAIA national meet record as a senior in college for the 5k and was the National Champion. She is now a professional runner.
Clifton and Balch’s race today was fun to witness. Mackenzie Maki of Kapaun is still back there lurking too. She ran 14:49 today which is not too shabby. She has the capability to drop down with Balch on any given day. I hope Clifton and Balch get at least one more chance to race at Rim Rock next weekend. It would be fun to watch the rematch.
And what cannot get lost in this is that Balch is only a freshman. She has the ability to run at the national level for sure.
What is your take on the times these girls threw down?
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