HERALD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: NORA McCABE OF REGINA DOMINICAN

Taking first place for the second time this girls cross country season, Regina Dominican freshman Nora McCabe ran to victory 9 seconds ahead of second-place finisher and fellow freshman Kate Delia of host Lake Forest Academy, Sept. 15 at the Lake Forest Academy Classic.

Panthers coach Scott Bohlke said that with her positive attitude and outstanding work ethic, McCabe already has broken into the top 15 cross country runners in Regina history.

"We look for her to continue to improve throughout the year and we are excited for her prospects of doing well in the postseason. She is a great kid," Bohlke said.

McCabe opened the season Sept. 4 with a second-place finish at Harvest Christian's Fall Classic, finishing behind reining Northeastern Athletic Conference champion Eva Camp, a junior from the host school.

McCabe finished ahead of a crew of St. Viator runners to win the Beacon Academy Season Opener on Sept. 8.

She paced Regina with a 12th-place finish Sept. 11 in a field headed by Class 3A runners from Loyola Academy, Whitney Young and Wheeling at the DePaul Prep Ram Invitational at Chicago's Horner Park.

"We have so much unity on our team, even though our No. 1 is a freshman. The girls all like her and she is a leader by example. I like the makeup of our team. Everyone supports each other," Bohlke said.