5. Robert Mechura
2023 Notable XC Finishes: 3rd at the Roy Griak Invitational, 1st at the MSHSL State Cross Country Championships, 1st at the NXR Heartland Regional with a 5K PR of 14:32, and 20th at Nike Cross Nationals
Analysis: Mechura had a standout junior cross country season, finishing 3rd at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational, only behind Clay Shively and Sam Scott. He went on to win the MSHSL state individual championship with a time of 15:04.20, and also claimed victory at the NXR Heartland Regional, setting a new meet record and personal best time of 14:32. In addition to these achievements, Mechura won four other major titles in Minnesota before finishing 20th at Nike Cross Nationals.
During the spring, Mechura clocked a 4:08.89 for the 1600m to win the MSHSL state title, 9:06.85 to win the MSHSL 3200m title and then finished 3rd in the 2-mile at Nike Outdoor Nationals with a personal best time of 8:55.03.
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON BOYS INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS
*Click on the athlete names below for analysis
RANK | ATHLETE |
|---|---|
| 25 | Jack Bowen, McCallie School (Tenn.) |
| 24 | Luke Pash, Ridgewood HS (N.J.) |
| 23 | Alex Fisher, Loomis Chaffee (Conn.) |
| 22 | Benjamin Anderson, Mountain Vista (Colo.) |
| 21 | Riku Sugie, Thomas Nelson (Ky.) |
| 20 | Jack Graffeo, Westford Academy (Mass.) |
| 19 | Caden Leonard, Carroll (Ore.) |
| 18 | Landon Pretre, Menlo School (Calif.) |
| 17 | Tayvon Kitchen, Crater (Ore.) |
| 16 | Josiah Tostenson, Crater (Ore.) |
| 15 | Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.) |
| 14 | Eli Fitchen-Young, Santa Cruz (Calif.) |
| 13 | Kaden Evans, American Fork (Utah) |
| 12 | Owen Powell, Mercer Island (Wash.) |
| 11 | Tommy Latham, Marist (Ga.) |
| 10 | Broen Holman, Sonora (Calif.) |
| 9 | Joe Barrett, Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.) |
| 8 | Daniel Skandera, Unattached (Ala.) |
| 7 | Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (Nebr.) |
| 6 | TJ Hansen, Freeland (Ore.) |
| 5 | Robert Mechura, Roseville (Minn.) |
| 4 | Evan Noonan, Dana Hills (Calif.) |
| 3 | Tamrat (Tam) Gavenas, Phillips Academy Andover (Mass.) |
| 2 | Manny Putz, Onalaska (Wisc.) |
| 1 | Ty Steorts, Hurricance (W. Va.) |