Tori Findley, a junior cross country runner for Blue Springs South (Mo.) finished third in the Suburban Gold Conference championship last year. She made sure that didn’t happen again. The junior runner finished a full 46 seconds ahead of the rest of the field, finishing with a time of 18:42.20 in the five kilometer race.
Findley’s run leads the American Family Insurance All-USA Performances of the week.
Below are the rest of the top performances as fall sports continue around the nation:
Dalton Cowan, football, Seaman (Kan.)
The Vikings struggled last year as they limped to a 2-7 finish. Cowan’s senior leadership at the quarterback position has been one of they keys to Seaman’s turnaround this year (the Vikings are 5-1). In a 35-20 win against Emporia, Cowan threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns and added 91 yards on the ground.
Jamie Dente, girls soccer, Cedar Grove (N.J.)
Cedar Grove started off the season a bit rough, winning its first three games, losing five and drawing one. They rebounded last week, due in large part to Dente’s contribution. The freshman scored six goals and assisted on two more.
Ty Chandler, football, Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)
Montgomery Bell defeated Brentwood Academy 31-24, and Chandler provided most of the offense. The running back rushed for 341 yards and four scores.
Gracie Lang, girls cross country, Darby (Mont.)
Lang was sensational in the two mile King Ranch Invitational last Saturday. She finished with a time of 12:44, a full 24 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.
Taylor Hopkins, boys cross country, Heath (Ohio)
In a field of 278 runners in the Division II-III race at the Pickering North Invational, Hopkin’s time of 16:05:32 was enough to win… by 19 seconds. Heath won the overall title by 91 points.
Allison Dennemann, girls volleyball, New Palestine (Ind.)
New Palestine beat Franklin Central 3-2 on Sept. 26 and it would have been hard to do without Dennemann’s contribution. She had a school-record 40 kills and 27 digs. Dennemann has 491 kills through 27 matches this season.
Nic Ah Sam, football, Springfield (Ore.)
The tailback was outstanding in a 41-28 win against North Eugene. He ran 32 times for 282 yards and four scores. He also threw for 87 yards and another touchdown.
Taylor McKinney, girls volleyball, Benton Central (Ind.)
McKinney had 43 kills and 22 assists over three Benton Central wins last week.
Ryan Diver, football, Glenbard West (Ill.)
The Hilltoppers handed West Suburban Silver their first loss of the season, and Diver was sensational. The junior had 24 carries for 312 yards and three scores. The final score was 56-39.