Rank: #5
Name: Heidi Nielson
School: Katy Cinco Ranch
Graduation Year: 2021
Yes, we have yet another girl from the class of 2021 on the first team. Nielson was another athlete who had her first year of cross country effected by Hurricane Harvey. She got a late start to things, but when her season got to rolling it didn't slow down until it was over. Starting with an 18:04.10 on possibly the most difficult course in the state at the Brenham Hillacious Invitational was an indication of how good of a season she was going to have.
Nielson would go on to win district, regionals and finish 4th in the UIL 6A state cross country meet with a 17:26 PR. However, the freshman wasn't finished just yet. She went on to finish 9th at the NXR South Regional meet, narrowly missing qualifying for NXN. So, she goes on to the Foot Locker South Regional where she gets it done and qualifies for the Foot Locker National meet.
Track season was just as successful for the youngster as she would run too many sub 5:00 an sub 11:00 races to make it worth counting. Perhaps, it's best to describe that she only had one of each race over those times. Track was so productive for Nielson that she blazed to PRs of 2:17.23, 4:53.43, 10:31.92. Amongst all of the big time races she won during the season was the Texas Relays 1600m. She medaled in the 1600m and 3200m races at the state track meet and then went on to win the New Balance Nationals Outdoor 5K in a 16:55.76 PR.
The 2018-2019 season for Nielson will be a good one!