Anastasia Tucker, of Midland Dow’s cross country team, clocked a 18:48.95 for first at a home meet early in the season and continues to be among the area’s top runners,
Her coach is Jamie Haruska.
Tucker, as senior, had her personal record of 18:08.2 at the Benzie Central Invitational. She finished third in that race and seventh at the MSU Spartan Invitational. But she’s been first in three other races.
Tucker was 17th at the Division 1 state finals as a junior, 42nd as a sophomore and 45th as a freshman.
“She’s been great,” Haruska said. “This is my first year coaching her. At Michigan State, it was a very hot race. She has really good racing consistency. She knows how to go out initially and maintain that speed. I know her kick has gotten stronger. She’s doing well with that final kick at the end.
“I think she’s looking at going and beating her final PR at the end. She has put a lot more time than what the rest of the team is asked to do. She’s getting stronger.”
Tucker is a runner and also does track with distance racing.
Haruska said her team has grown.
“We’ve got a wide range of runners,” she said.