Who is the Next Jenny B? Neely Spence or Jessica Pixler or your pick!

Neely Spence could have a lot of upside in her future. She has improved every year since middle school (which few have ever done) and she has ran well in every championship she has ever entered over the past 5 years. Sure she will need to win this weekend over Pixler and break 16:00 this year for 5k to be considered as someone that could be a future star in college. But steady progression and great coaching could someday make her an elite over 5k and 10k after college.

But sub 4:00 and sub 15:00 in college is going to be tough for any collegiate girl. Jenny B. is surely someone special and won't be replaced any time soon.

I'm going with MEL!

I agree that it will be Mel Lawrence! She's been developing into a fine steeplechaser just like Jenny did over the years!

Hedgehog Ronnie Jay wrote:

I'm going with MEL!

But ya gotta have heart!

wesmantooth wrote:

neely spence got FAT!

Don't know where you get this, but you're mistaken. She is a strong, powerful runner (like her dad) but definitely not heavy. Yes, there are ultra thin collegiate runners out there but they aren't finishing ahead of Neely! She is coached by one of the best anywhere and seems to have a wonderful outlook on just about everything. A very smart racer and extremely focused. Should go far, and I'm betting we'll see her in a USA uniform in London 2012.

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Nope, not Mel. Although a talented athlete who seemingly runs with ease there is NO FIRE in her belly. She is not the competitive beast we are use to seeing in say Jenny, Anna W., Jordan, and even Allie M. Mel is content always following a teammate in, running in a pack. I would love to see her all out but it's been a long time coming[/quote]

you have no idea what your talking about. have you ever talked to mel? Ever seen mel mad? Ever spent a day with her? She has more fire in her that you will ever know. Mel competes when its time to compete and is that "competitive beast" you are used to seeing. Think she isnt competitive? then you dont know how she fell on the water pit as a junior got back up and chased the leader down, who i think was lindsey allen, and set the junior national record for the steeple. SO if thats not a competitive beast, then i dont know what mel is. except for f***ing awesome. oh and its called being a teammate. working as a team. that how you win nationals. oh wait, their team did win nationals. you idiot.

exactly

ummmmm...Ever heard of Sarah Palin?

Looks like it will be Pixler! Now in the Colorado jersey and running a fantastic opener after buiding a great base in the fall instead of competing, the resemblance between Jessica and Jenny's incredible 2009 season is hard to miss.

Its looking like pixer.

Those who know will notice how careful Pixler has been to avoid the UW. Smart girl. Humble, but smart.

Avoid the UW? What's the UW? Please explain what you're saying.

university of washington, i.e. greg metcalf's horrible coaching

Other than not going there, I'm not sure how PIxler has "been careful to avoid UW". What she has chosen to do has obviously worked out well for her, however, and props to her for taking the path less taken.

MEL!

Pixler is going to be great, it's just a real shame she's a churchie. That's the last thing this sport needs.

side stitch wrote:

Those who know will notice how careful Pixler has been to avoid the UW. Smart girl. Humble, but smart.

I love how people act as if they know her.. "Humble" this "smart" that. Give me a f***ing break, don't act like you know someone just from interviews you see online.

Worked for the Halls, at least for a while.

hart

crane wrote:

Pixler is going to be great, it's just a real shame she's a churchie. That's the last thing this sport needs.