Rank: #8
Name: Gracie Morris
School: Aledo
Graduation Year: 2020
Morris is one half of the sibling duo that has dazzled running fans for the last two years. Morris has done nothing but steadily improve in cross country. Last year, she began the season in great shape as she hit hard at the beginning of the season when she dropped a 17:37 at the Marcus I Invitational.
Midway through the season, Morris would battle a sporadic pain in her foot. She would eventually finish the regular season and still run to a third place finish at the UIL 5A state meet where she ran 17:46:40, but her luck eventually ran out. Morris attempted to run at the Foot Locker South Regional meet, but the pain was too much and it overcame her causing her to drop out of the race. X-rays would reveal a stress fracture and a near break in the foot.
Being one of the best track athletes in the state, Morris would also miss her entire sophomore track season. As much of a pain as that must have been, it might be cross country's gain as a rested, fit, and healthy version of Morris could produce an outstanding 2019 season. When we see the starved runner finally getting some action, it could be a special year.