Austin cross country runner Madison Overby is headed back to the Class ‘AA’ state cross country meet.

And this time she means business.

After taking 89th as a seventh grader, Overby is coming in with a much better qualifying time and a lot more confidence as she prepares for the state meet, which takes place in St. Olaf College in Northfield at 2 p.m.

“It’s been a really fun year and it went really fast,” said Overby, now an eighth grader. “I’ve been looking to this meet all year and I want to go out there and compete.”

Last year Overby dealt with some heavy nerves when she lined up with 154 of the best runners in the state. This time around, she’ll feel more comfortable.

“I’m a lot more confident this year and I just want to run close to the times that I have been running,” she said. “There’s a couple of girls that have been around those times and I’ll just try to run with that group.”

If Overby posts a time comparable to her qualifying time, she could end up in the top-30.

She’s coming in with a section time that is 40 seconds faster than last year as she’s improved her personal best time a few times during the season.

“If she runs her race, there’s really no reason she shouldn’t be in the top 25 this year,” Austin head coach Tony Einertson said.

Overby has been able to improve so much in one year due to an incredible work ethic and a strong drive to succeed. It’s rare that she takes a day off from running — even on weekends.

“My dad’s a big influence and he’s really helpful and supportive,” Overby said. “We’ll go on three or four mile Sunday runs and then talk about it afterwards.”

It’s also unheard of for Overby to miss a practice, even when her coaches try and get her to sit one out.

“There’s been some days where we tell her she should maybe take the day off, full well knowing she won’t do it,” Einertson said. “That’s part of that dedication she has and it’s starting to show in her times.”