By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — Elizabeth Harris didn’t know how she’d perform this season.
As a freshman in 2006, Harris qualified for the NCHSAA Class 1-A State Cross Country Championships, but last season, she suffered a knee injury that forced her to sit out all but three meets. She missed the entire 2007 regular season, but returned for the conference, region and state championships, even though she was well off her usual pace.
This fall, the Northside junior harrier returned to the trails full-time, and after some early season struggles, emerged as one of the area’s top runners, finishing second at the Atlantic/Albemarle Conference Championships and earning All-East honors by finishing seventh at the NCHSAA Class 1-A East Region Cross Country Championships.
She ended her junior campaign by finishing 85th at the state meet. For her efforts, Harris has been named the Washington Daily News’ Female Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Harris, who ran a season-best time of 22 minutes and 35 seconds at the Atlantic/Albemarle Conference Championships at the end of October, was an integral piece of the Lady Panthers’ conference winning team.
She credits teammates Ashley Clayton and Katie Bowen with pushing her all season.
Northside coach Charlie Woolard was impressed by his junior runner this season.
Harris hopes for a brilliant senior year as well.