Lizzy Nelson's story is arguably the most inspirational in Santa Clarita Valley cross country and track history. Her surname, Nelson, is one of the most well-known in California high school running history. Her father, Jeff, won several state championships, finished fourth at the IAAF World Cross Country Finals, and held the national high school record over two miles for 29 years while running for Burbank High School in 1978 and 1979. Her mother, Kathryn, was an assistant coach for Saugus High's girls team, the only program in California sports prep history to win seven consecutive state crowns from 2006-12. And her older brother, Alec, was there when Saugus' distance dynasty began. He helped Saugus' boys cross country squad achieve greatness in winning five consecutive Foothill League titles from 2006-10 and finishing 10th at the 2009 CIF Division Two State Championships.