2019 girls Foot Locker predictions and discussion!

Women U20 course was 4.25 km.

Thinking Masciarelli will defend after Starliper’s finish at NXN

I would not forget about Vanderkooi. I do agree that Ewert and Starliper might be affected by the very tough NXN race and conditions.

Footlocker top 5 will be better than NXN top 5. Tuohy would not have won Footlocker.

I don’t think we got to see Starliper’s full potential, if she’s not too tired she will definitely be a contender. If all the top girls hadn’t just raced I doubt Masciarelli would even be top 5.

Definitely expect something impressive from vanderkoi, anyone other than her and dudek who didn’t run at nxn to look out for?

This will be a very interesting race. Instead of a chase pack catching a faltering Tuohy, this will be a lead pack looking to see if someone surges and breaks away, or if it comes down to a kick.

Lead pack will be:

Ewert - new confidence after NXN

Starliper - didn't have 100% best effort at NXN

Masciarelli - chip on shoulder, good memories of Balboa

Vanderkooi - rested and ready

Dudek - Sunday in Lisbon to Saturday in San Diego.

Hart - will bounce right back, likes Balboa

NXN turned out to be a classic, I'm eagerly awaiting this one.

Starliper had a side stitch at NXN which affected her. She said she is staying in California this week so no school, travel, and time zone issues sapping energy. I suspect she will be ready to go for the win on Saturday.

Let me guess - you're one of those people that are clueless about XC and think that it's all about the fastest times. You're comments make it clear that you have no idea.

NXN course is a lot harder than FL and I doubt that there will be the deluge in San Diego that there was in Portland.

Tuohy stan wrote:

Definitely expect something impressive from vanderkoi, anyone other than her and dudek who didn’t run at nxn to look out for?

Dudek ran in Europe on Sunday so the extra day and travel is probably as energy draining as NXN.

The next one who didn't run this past weekend would be sophomore Jenna Hutchins who won FL South. She was 9th at FLN last year and is about 15 seconds faster this year. I don't expect her to challenge for the win but she should be in the mix to make the podium.

You are a bad guesser. I base my opinion on head-to-head competition.

When Masciarelli and Dudek beat Starliper, Ewert, and Hart on Saturday, you still won't admit that the Footlocker field was deeper this year.

There's really no point in arguing which is a better field - they are just different fields and both great races. The kids not at FL usually are not missing by personal desire, they just make a decision to compete with their teams at NXN/NXR. Sadly even FLWest get watered down when the top California kids go to NXN on the day of that race.

Or maybe she would have loved the sunshine, relaxed and run a burner. Can't tell until the race is actually run. The conditions at NXN were a mess. The runner who convincingly beat the defending FL champion in the regional came in 5th at NXN. Hart who got piped at the line at the FL regional by Dudek came in 50th.

I definitely think the competitors who chose to rest have an advantage over the competitors that ran at Nike. That' a lot of travel and energy.

Footlocker rules wrote:

Footlocker top 5 will be better than NXN top 5. Tuohy would not have won Footlocker.

So dumb! Now suddenly the only girl who's been undefeated for three years wouldn't be the favorite?

I think she'd only be more likely to win in a race in good conditions like Footlocker.

Yeah Jenna Hutchins is a really good runner

443 miler

She might be looking to make a statement. Only a sophomore

Tough race to predict!

Starliper Hart ewart and Dudek are all coming off tough races and a lot of travel

Sydney masciarelli vanderkooi and Hutchins should all be in top form

Anyone else to look out for?

I'm going with

Starliper

Ewert

Vanderkooi

Hart

Masciarelli

Starliper looked great in her post race interview at nxn. Taylor ewert showed she can do the double last year. And Hart's looking to make a statement

Maybe dudek can do it but that's crazy travel racing in Europe and then California

I'm going with Taylor ewert!

I think she has the confidence after nxn

Ewert

Starliper

Masciarelli

Vanderkooi

Dudek

Vanderkooi

I think this is her year she's going to hold off Sydney masciarelli

Vanderkooi

Masciarelli

Starliper

Ewert

Dudek

I'd say Vanderkooi and Masciarelli are the favorites because they are rested. NXN was a really tough race and Dudek is going to join the jetlagged racers hall of fame to run at FL.