Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/919607
4 12.31.2017 SCHOOL: Rogers High CLASS: Freshman HEIGHT: 5-6 THE SCOOP: Nachtigal was immediately moved up to the high school ranks when the season began instead of running in junior high. … Her first high school race resulted in a second-place finish at the Shiloh Christian Saints Invitational, then she won the Siloam Springs Invitational two weeks later. … She finished third at the 7A-West Conference meet with a time of 19 minutes, 14.9 seconds, but she came back to win the Class 7A state meet at Oaklawn Park with a time of 19:25.1, beating fellow freshman Hailey Day of Rogers Heritage by more than 7 seconds. … She was in second place behind teammate Emily Efurd with one-half mile remaining before she made her move to win the race. … Her season-best time of 18:53.8 came during the Arkansas- Oklahoma All-Star Meet, where she finished third behind Day and Class 6A state champion Josie Carson of Lake Hamilton. DID YOU KNOW?: Nachtigal is also a member of the Rogers girls swim team, where she competes in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, as well as relay events. SHE SAID IT: "I started out the season and was kind of used to it. I got into the rhythm with the team, and we came together really good. I've just been pushing real hard through the season, and I guess it paid off for me. Going into high school cross country, I figured I would excel better with the 3-mile race rather than the 2-mile, and that turned out to be true. I beat my PR, which is great, and I've done better with the 3-mile race. "At the time, I never figured I would win state this year. I just wanted to run and do the best I could for my team. As the state meet went on, you kind of figure out things while you're running because it's hard to visualize before things before you're actually doing it. During the run, I decided I wanted to do this and I could try to win it, so I did it." — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry