Allura Markow, the reigning CIF Southern Section Division 3 girls cross country champion and a senior at Dana Hills High who earned all-state Division 2 honors in 2019, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her preparation for competing Nov. 26 in the California Division 3 state final at Woodward Park in Fresno. Markow led Dana Hills to the Southern Section team title as well and is trying to guide the Dolphins to their seventh all-time podium finish, including the first for the program since winning the Division 1 championship in 2008. Markow reflects on her eighth-place performance in the Division 2 state final and clocking 17:51.2 on the 5-kilometer layout as a freshman and the lessons she has learned since about competing at Woodward Park. She examines the move to Division 3 for the first time in her career after Dana Hills placed seventh in Division 2 last season, with Markow finishing 14th overall. Markow analyzes the depth of the competition in Division 3, including reigning champion Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery, as well as Gioana Lopizzo of La Costa Canyon, Ellie Buckley and Shea Volkmer of Campolindo, Kylie Hoornaert of Prospect, Anna Soares of Placer and Southern Section rivals Melisse Djomby Enyawe of Corona del Mar and Sophie Polay from Santa Margarita. She also shares her excitement for Dana Hills to race against six-time champion Campolindo and San Diego Section winner Cathedral Catholic, and speaks about the improvement of teammates Annie Ivarsson, Cooper Murphy, Zoe Ott, Tessa Anderson, Paige Scheer and Quinci Lott, and how the Dolphins were able to get healthy at the right time to secure the section championship. Markow also explains her motivation to finish among the top five individuals on non-qualifying teams to secure her first trip to Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 3 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon, and her wishes that teammate Evan Noonan and the JSerra girls program will also qualify to race in Portland. She also expresses gratitude for the support of family, friends, teammates and coaches, and speaks about how instrumental her faith has been in helping her maintain balance with such a challenging schedule, along with giving her confidence and strength when overcoming injuries, illness and other obstacles throughout her career.