Jessica Deal burst onto the scene her freshman year of cross country, a season that was highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the State Meet. Deal proved her initial season was no fluke, backing it up the next fall with another top performance, placing fifth at the states in a personal-best 18:45.96.
Deal’s junior year proved more of a challenge. She placed 10th at states and dipped under 20 minutes for 5K only twice, an “off” season by her high standards. Still, there are plenty of signs that Deal is poised to make her senior year one of her best.
(Cover photo by Sterling Vernon @rhodeandtrack)
The biggest came this past spring at the outdoor state meet, where the Mount Hope standout stunned with a runner-up finish in the 1,500-meter run. Deal didn’t just run a personal best, she simply demolished it by nearly 15 seconds, clocking 4:36.88 in a loaded field.
Deal’s performance was a reminder of what she can do at her best, especially in her forte of cross country. While she has yet to make her season debut, the Mount Hope senior likely gained a valuable confidence-booster from her breakthrough at the early-June championships. We’re predicting she’ll carry that momentum into the fall and once again position herself among the state’s elite.
