XC 2009
Championship format. Map will link to NXN/FL Coverage.
National championship fever is spreading across the country. The world of prep cross country begins its ascent to the national finals. Many will seek individual honors at either the historic Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships or Nike Cross National Championships. Nike Cross Nationals will offer the Team National Championship.
NXN Coverage
NXN Northwest Championships (ID): (MILESPLIT ARON TAYLOR ONSITE)
VIDEOS: Nobody Celebrates like the Northwest NXN Northwest Party Erupts
VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH GALEN RUPP!
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| US#5 North Central Post-RaceVideo! |
US#4 Jesuit Dominates! |
North Central boys(93 points) win the Northwest NXN for the 2nd straight year with Ferris 2nd(104 points) and Crater 3rd!! For the girls Jesuit(104) takes the crown with Bishop Kelly(124) surprising for 2nd. Shadle Park and Glacier Peak round out the top-4. Ben Johnston, North Central, wins in 15:28.92. Following the races athletes erupted in excitement (Watch Video) Emily Nist (Post Race Video Interview), Bishop Kelly, sets a new course record, winning with a time of 17:57.93. NXN Northwest Complete Coverage | NXN Northwest Party Erupts | VIDEO: MILESPLIT Western US National Editor Aron Taylor Pre-Race Preview
| Boys Teams 1. North Central WA (North Spokane XC) 93 2. Ferris WA (South Side Harriers) 104 3. Crater OR (Crater Comet XC) 126 4. Central Catholic OR (Stark Street AC) 166 |
Girls Teams 1. Jesuit OR (Crusader Harriers) 106 2. Bishop Kelly ID (Knights RC) 126 3. Shadle Park WA (Spokane Hilanders) 158 4. Glacier Peak WA (Harambee Stars) 188 |
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Boys Individuals |
Girls Individuals |
*Team and Individual qualifiers are in bold
NXN Heartland Championships (SD): (MILESPLIT ONSITE COVERAGE WITH NICK CLAIR) NXN Heartland Meet Page
ONSITE UPDATES: Katie Flood wins in a new course record time of 17:19.06 followed by teammate Ashley Decker in 17:21.79 to lead Dowling Catholic to the team title 105-119 over Elk River. Eden Prairie was 3rd with 126 points. Stevens was 4th with 134 points. Aaron Bartnik won the boys title in 15:33 to lead Eden Prairie boys to the title 61-74 over Wayzata. Bismarck was 3rd with 97 points and Stillwater was 4th with 215 points.
The top-10 boys individuals are as follows: 1) Aaron Bartnik, 15:33.70, 2) Marcus Paulson, 15:37.40, 3) Jake Erschen, 15:40.30, 4) Andrew Stevens, 15:44.30, 5) Jacob Sandry, 15:46.10, 6) Tony Smoragiewicz, 15:48.00, 7) Jarren Heng, 15:48.20, 8th) Mohamed Mohamed, 15:52.20, 9th) Christian Brownott, 15:52.50, 10) Marshall Moyer, 15:54.50
The top-10 girls individuals are as follows: 1) Katie Flood, 17:19.06, 2) Ashley Decker, 17:21.79, 3) Shelby Houlihan, 18:05.59, 4) Marya Haegler, 18:10.73, 5) Maria Hauger, 18:16.24, 6) Emma Bates, 18:21.11, 7) Abbi Aspengren, 18:25.12, 8th) Maddie McClellan, 18:26.53, 9) Rebekah Topham, 18:28.37, 10) Madie Hubbell, 18:37.14.
Dowling Catholic girls Eden Prairie boys
| Boys Team 1. Eden Prairie MN 61 2. Wayzata MN 74 3. Bismarck ND 97 4. Stillwater MN 215 |
Girls Team
1. Dowling Catholic IA 105 2. Elk River MN 119 3. Eden Prairie MN 126 4. Bismarck ND 134 |
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Boys Individual |
Girls Individual |
*Team and Individual qualifiers are in bold
NXN Midwest Championships (IN): (MILESPLIT ONSITE COVERAGE WITH PAUL EVERETT)
Video Interviews LIVE: Joe Newton(York coach) | Zach Wills | York boys pre-race | Jessie Griffin(Lee's Summit West coach)
Race Footage LIVE: Boys Championship Race | Girls Championship Race
ONSITE UPDATES: York is back!! York(113) won the boys championship race as Neuqua Valley(137) and Loyola Academy(139) had a very close battle for 2nd place. Magnificat(OH) tops Palatine(IL)(93). Both teams move on to NXN Nationals. A chip mix up with team members on Lee's Summit West(108) bumped them back to third. The Lee's Summit coach caught the error and reported it to Nike officials. Congrats to the girls on a great race! Zach Wills, Mason, (Photo by Paul Everett) takes the boys race with a time of 15:07.1 in a rout over the field!! Hannah Neczypor, Royalton, (Photo by Paul Everett) won the girls race with a tight finish over Madeline Chambers, Magnificat, with a time of 17:34. The two had an epic duel over the last half of the race with Hannah closing strong at the line to seal the win. Course Preview Narrated by Chris Ammen | NXN Midwest Meet Page
Hannah Neczypor (17:34) Zach Wills (15:07)
| Boys Team 1. York IL 113 2. Neuqua Valley 137 3. Loyola IL 139 4. Columbus Thorn IN 180 |
Girls Team
1. Magnificat OH 2. Palatine IL 3. Lee's Summit West MO 4. Carmel IN |
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Boys Individual |
Girls Individual |
* Team and Individual qualifiers are in bold
State Meet Coverage
Alabama State Championships (AL): 6A Champs- Carlos Carmen won the girls 6A race with a time of 17:43.57 to win by 1:04. Mountain Brook won big in the team race with 32 points. In the 6A boys race Layton Dorsett, Mountain Brook, won with a time of 15:59.07. 5A Champs- Lucas Sieb, Scottsboro, won the 5A championship with a time of 15:46.10. Spanish Fort won the team title with 51 points. In the girls 5A race Rachel Roberts, John Carroll, won with a time of 18:42.35. Scottsboro won the team title with 61 points. 4A Champs- Katie Stewart, Rogers, won the girls race with a time of 19:24.21. UMS Wright dominated the team race with 20 points. In boys action Fabian Cortez, Hayleyville, won the individual title. UMS Wright dominated here as well with 21 points. 3A Champs- Randolph dominated the boys team race with a low score of 22 points. Stew Shoemaker, Bayside Academy, won the individual title with a time of 16:46.19. For the girls Montgomery Academy won a squeaker over TR Miller, 39-41. Karisa Nelson, TR Miller, won in a time of 18:53.96. 1A/2A Champs- Nathan Lewis, Cold Springs, won the individual title with a time of 16:25.57. Hatton won the team title with 38 points. Amy McKelvey, Shoals Christian, won the girls race with a time of 20:56.78. American Christian Academy won the team title with 39 points. Meet Page
Delaware State Championships (DE): Division 2 Champs- Tatnall dominated the girls race with 17 points off of an 18:52 3-mile average and 6 of the top-5 places. Haley Pierce led the charge with a time of 17:48.93 for the individual win. Tatnall also won the boys title in a close battle with Archmere, 31-38. Ryan Lee, Archmere, won the individual title with a time of 16:19.72. Division 1 Champs- Salesianum won the boys title with a score of 47 points to squeak past st. Mark's, who scored 48 points. Zach Kaminski, St. Mark's, won the individual title with a time of 16:26.33. Charter dominated the girls race, scoring 25 points and placing 5 runners inside the top-9. Julie Macedo, Charter, won the individual title with a time of 18:56.09. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Steve Lee | Meet Page
Kentucky State Championships (KY): Complete Coverage Article | AAA Champs- Ryan Eaton, Greenwood, won the boys race with a time of 15:54.36, the fastest time of the day. St. Xavier won the team title with 70 points. In the girls race Emma Brink, Sacred Heart, also won with the fastest time of the day, an 18:45.89 clocking. AA Champs- Robert Sandlin, Franklin County, won the boys race with a time of 16:22.73. South Oldham won the team title with 81 points. Jenna Rogers, Christian Academy, won the girls race with a time of 19:28.12. South Oldham pulled the team sweep, winning the girls as well with 41 points. A Champs- Trevin Petersen, Walton Verona, won the boys race with a time of 16:18.49. St. Henry District won the team race with 97 points. In the girls race Maddox Paterson, Sayre, won the individual crown with a time of 19:42.15. St. Henry District won the girls team title with 48 points. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Jonathan Grooms | Live Meet Updates | Meet Page
Louisiana State Championships (LA): (TUES) Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Patrick Gavin | Meet Page
Maryland State Championships (MD): AAAA Champs- Andrew Palmer, Whitman, won the individual title with a time of 16:48 while Walter Johnson took team honors with 73 points. Jessie Rubin, Wootton, won the girls title in 19:48. Severna Park won the team title with 89 points. AAA Champs- Tyler Ostrowski, Chopticon, won the boys title with a time of 17:12. Damascus won the team race with 117 points. In the girls race Becky Yep, Mt. Hebron, won the title with a time of 20:25. River Hill won the team title with 68 points. AA Champs- Robby Creese, Glenelg, won the individual boys title with a time of 17:30. Winters Hill won the team race with 68 points. Maura Linde, Century, won the girls race with a time of 20:07 and Century won the team race with 39 points. A Champs- David Wilson, Smithsburg, won the individual title with a time of 16:38. Bohemia Manor won the team race with 61 points. Jennifer Cleary, Bohemia Manor, led a 1-2-3 charge with a time of 20:46. Bohemia Manor wound up with the win with 22 points. Meet Page
Massachusetts State Divisional Championships (MA): Muddy and flooded conditions greeted runners this year in MA, but that didn't stop them from competing in the East and West of the state. The Central Champs, however, were postponed until Monday. Eastern Champs- Division 1- John Bleday, Xaverian, won the individual race with a time of 16:28. Jared Reddy, Methuen, was 2nd in 16:33. Lowell put the team race away with 67 points. In girls action Andrea Keklak, Lincoln-Sudbury, won the individual title with a time of 19:26. Lincoln-Sudbury beat Newton South 58-74. Division 2- Patrick McGowan, Mansfield, outlasted Anthony Taylor, Arlington, 16:02 to 16:07. Mansfiled dominated the team race with 58 points. In the girls race Jenna Davidner, Oliver Ames, won with a time of 19:15. Wellesley won the team race with 95 points. Division 3- Max Darrah, Dennis Yarmouth, won the individual race with a time of 16:27. Pembroke dominated the team race with 34 points. Lindsay Walsh, Swampscott, won the individual girls title with a time of 19:06. Bishop Feehan won the team title with 40 points. Division 4- Johnny Gregorek, Seekonk, won the individual boys title with a time of 16:47. Seekonk dominated the team race, winning with 51 points. Lee Milne, Dover-Sherbon, won the girls individulal race with a time of 20:04. Hamiltan-Wenham won the team race with 43 points. Western Champs- Division 1- Ian Lutz, Northhampton, won the boys title with a time of 17:27. Ludlow won a close team battle over Amherst-Pelham, 73-78. Carolyn Stocker, Westfield, won the girls race with a time of 19:33. Amherst-Pelham won the team title with 58 points. Division 2- Mark Hegarty, Cathedral, won the boys race with a time of 17:14. Lenox Memorial won the team title with a score of 84. Mackenzie Hitchcock, Mt. Greylock, won the girls race with a time of 20:46. Mt. Greylock also took the team race with a dominating 33 point performance. Meet Page
New Jersey State Group Championships (NJ): Meet Page (Photos/Videos) | Parochial A Boys- Don Bosco upsets US#4 Christian Brothers Academy by a score of 44-60. Don Bosco averaged 16:37.60 over the Holmdel layout. Group 3 Boys- US#2 and US#7 Joe and James Rosa went 1-2 in the rain with a time of 15:37. Tyler Udland was 3rd in 15:45. West Windsor Plainsboro North won the team title with 74 points. Group 3 Girls- US#12 Chelsey Ley won with a blazing time of 17:53. Group 2 Boys- US#10 Haddonfield wins with 30 points after a 1-2-3 finish. Jonathan Vitez wins the individual title with a time of 15:58. Group 2 Girls- Marielle Hall, Haddonfield, won the girls race with a time of 19:18. Delsea won the team title over Haddonfield 81-112. Group 4 Boys- Joe Kotran, Toms River North, won the individual title with a time of 15:55, with Michael O'Dowd, Colts Neck, finishing in 2nd with a time of 16:00. Westfield won the team title with 130 points. Group 4 Girls- Caroline Kellner, West Windsor Plainsboro South, won with a time of 18:43. Ashley Smolinka, Hillsborough, finished 2nd with a time of 18:59 with Mary Migton, Roxbury, on her heels for 3rd in the same time. Randolph won the team title over Hillsborough, 66-73. Group 1 Boys- David Oster, Verona, won the individual title by 27 seconds with a time of 15:52. Robbinsville ran away with the team title, winning with 78 points. Group 1 Girls- Brianna Feerst, Point Pleasant Beach, won the individual title with a time of 19:47. Mountain Lakes won a close one over Robbinsville, 50-58. Parochial A Girls- Academy of the Holy Angels won the team race with 56 points. Michelle Capozzi, Red Bank Catholic, won the individual race with a time of 19:13. Parochial B Boys- Colin Richmond, Saint Rose, won the individual title with a time of 16:46. Saint Rose won the team title with 38 points. Parochial B Girls- Kristen Traub, Eastern Christian, won the girls individual race with a time of 19:43. Villa Walsh won the team race with a score of 48 points. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Pat Montferrat and Matt Shatkus | State Groups Previews
Texas State Championships (TX): Complete Coverage Article | 5A Champs- US#4 Craig Lutz, Lewsville Marcus, won the 5A boys title with a time of 14:45.24 to smoke Mark Pinales, 15:08.05. The Woodlands won the team title with 65 points and an average of 15:55.64. Sarah Andrews, The Woodlands, won the girls 5A title with a time of 10:45.09 for 2 miles. Humble Kingwood was clear of the field with 55 points for the win. 4A Champs- Nathan Christianson, Boerne Champion, won the individual title with a time of 15:24.32 ahead of teammate Travis Barclay, 15:28.03. US#7 Boerne Champion won the team title with 30 points and an average of 15:49.42. Maggie Escobar, Fort Worth Boswell, won the girls race with a time of 11:14.78. Humble Kingwood Park won the team title with 45 points. 3A Champs- Brandon Lacy, Lytle, won the boys race with a time of 15:51.14. Argyle won the team title with 87 points. Colbea Harris, Argyle, won the girls race with a time of 11:34.44. Decatur won the team title with 57 points. 2A Champs- Nick Guerra, East Bernard, won the individual title with a time of 16:16.65. East Bernard also took the team title with 61 points. In girls competition Kamy Cole, Brock, won the title with a time of 11:40.69. Spearman won the team title with 51 points. 1A Champs- Travis Roberts, Sanderson, won the individual crown with a time of 16:30.63. Plains won the team title with a score of 53 points. Laurie Byrd, Round Top-Carmine, won the individual title with a time of 11:29.08. Gruver took the team honors with 83 points. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Alex Aldaco | Meet Prediction Contest | Meet Page
Virginia State Championships (VA): Complete Coverage Article | Very poor and muddy course conditions, which got progressively worse as the day went on. The largest classification Group AAA were the last races of the day. Times slowed by at least 15-20 seconds if not more based off last year's results in ideal course conditions. Temperature was ideal in the 50s with cloud cover, except for the last half of the Group AA girls when the sun came out and several runners struggled to get to the line including two of Blacksburg's key scorers.
Course record by Kathleen Stevens (17:34) of Blacksburg. Previous record 17:38 set last by Megan Marsico (2008 Foot Locker South runner-up). Twin sister Joanna Stevens was second in the Group AA girls race in 17:39.
Midlothian girls streak of 4 AAA state titles and Blacksburg girls streak of 3 AA titles are snapped by Lake Braddock and Hidden Valley respectively. Lake Braddock was the major upset of the day as their freshmen Sophie Chase led the charge literally with a hot pace to put herself in front and held on for a third place finish as Lake Braddock added a ninth state title to their rich history of state championship excellence. Hidden Valley had a slower team average than Blacksburg by 17 seconds, yet still found a way to win with five runners among the top 25.
No drama to determine boys team champions as Mountain View (AAA), Blacksburg (AA), and Clarke County (A) dominate their respective classifications with Mountain View posting a team average of 16:33.
Ted Richardson of James River won in a well packed AAA boys race till late with the day's fastest performance in 15:34 as Western Branch's Blake Theroux had made the move to break up the pack with 1200 meters to go and finished runner-up with a time of 15:38.
A thrilling finish for Group AA boys as early race leader Colin Mearns of Jamestown collapsed in the final 150 meters and Kyle King of Grafton seized upon the opportunity as the 16:01 winner. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Brandon Miles | Group AAA Preview | Group AA Preview | Group A Preview | Private Schools Preview | Public Schools Meet Page | Private Schools Meet Page
New York NYSPHSAA Championships (NY): Complete Meet Coverage | AA Champs- US#1 Fayetteville Manlius girls dominated with a perfect 15 point score over US#3 Saratoga Springs and a otherwordly 11-second 1-5 spread. Courtney Chapman, F-M, won the individual title with a time of 17:25.40. US#6 Fayetteville Manlius boys won the AA race with 48 points and North Rockland's Nick Hughes taking the individual win. A Champs- Aisling Cuffe, Cornwall, (Photos courtesy of Karen Ward) won individually with the fastest girls time on the day, a 17:00.10. Queensbury girls won the team race with 34 points. Burnt Hills won the boys team race with 38 points and Otis Ubriaco led the charge with the win in a time of 15:44.1. B Champs- Honeoye won the boys team race with 42 points and Alex Deir led the charge with a winning time of 15:41.9. East Aurora won the girls race with 48 points. Frosh Megan Young, Nanuet, won the individual race with a time of 17:56.6. C Champs- Holland Patent won the boys team title with a score of 40 points. Brandon Freyer, Pawling, won the individual title with a time of 15:30.9. Bronxville won the girls team race with 41 points. Allison Lasnicki , Canastota, won the girls race with a time of 18:24.9. D Champs- Barker won the boys team title with 66 points and Mike Champagne, Seton-Plattsburgh, won the individual title with a time of 15:54.0. In girls action Greenwich dominated the team race with a 24 point score. Katie Weisenburger, Pulaski, won the individual title with a time of 18:27.1. Milesplit Onsite Coverage with Tim Fulton and Chris Hunt | Complete Meet Information Article | Meet Page
Florida Regional Championships (FL): 4A Region 4- Armando Del Valle, Christopher Columbus, beat teammate Mark Gulesian, 15:54.22 to 15:59.73. Christopher Columbus won the team title with 36 points. Victoria Villarnovo, Lourdes, won the girls title with a time of 18:59.76. Lourdes dominated the team race with the top-3 finishers at 5 in the top-7 overall to register just 19 team points | FHSAA 4A Region 4. 4A Region 3- Spanish River won a nailbiter over St. Thomas Aquinas, 82-83. Isabelle Amaro, West Broward, won the individual title over teammate Chloe Sell, 18:53.32 to 18:58.71. In boys action Ryan Pickering, John I. Leonard, ran away with the individual title with a time of 15:49.22 | FHSAA 4A Region 3. 4A Region 2- Dr. Phillips, boys dominated with 54 points and a 24-second 1-5 compression. Mark Parrish, Chamberlain, won the individual title with a time of 15:52. In the girls race Winter Park won with 27 points, taking the top 3 places with a 19:07 average. Shelby Hayes took the individual title with a time of 18:06 | FHSAA 4A Region 2. 4A Region 1- Coming | FHSAA 4A Region 1. 1A Region 1- Coming | FHSAA 1A Region 1. 1A Region 2- Coming | FHSAA 1A Region 2 | 1A Region 3- US #3 Kathryn Fluehr won with a time of 17:01.99. Erika Fluehr was 2nd with a time of 17:17, 1:12 up on 3rd place (Photo courtesy of Jason Byrne). Fluehr meet article | FHSAA 1A Region 3. 1A Region 4- Coming FHSAA 1A Region 4. 3A Region 1- Coming | FHSAA 3A Region 1. 3A Region 2- Coming | FHSAA 3A Region 2. 3A Region 3- Lakewood Ranch dominated with 32 points. Sarah Spann, Fort Myers, won the individual title with a time of 18:44.51. Charlotte won the boys team title with 47 points. Tyler Cardillo, Charlotte, completed the boys sweep with a time of 16:24.85 | FHSAA 3A Region 3. 3A Region 4- Coming | FHSAA 3A Region 4. 2A Region 4- Archbishop McCarthy won big in the boys race with 23 points. Tim Hendricks, North Broward, won the individual title with a time of 16:00.20. Stephanie Schappert, Pope John Paul, won the individual title with a time of 17:54.30. Cardinal Gibbons won the team title with 79 points | FHSAA 2A Region 4. 2A Region 3- Erick Montoya, Estero, won the individual boys race with a time of 15:46. Estero also ran away with the team title with 53 points. In the girls race Kacy Smith, Estero, ran away with the team title with a time of 19:09. Estero likewise ripped the team competition with 20 points | FHSAA 2A Region 3. 2A Region 2- Coming | FHSAA 2A Region 2. 2A Region 1- Coming | FHSAA 2A Region 1.
New England XC Championships (CT): Bishop Hendricken won the boys race with a very tight finish over Bishop Guertin, 105-106. John Raneri, New Fairfield, took top individual honors with a time of 15:57. LaSalle girls rolled over Barrington, 133-184. Emily Durgin, Cheverus, won individually with a time of 18:35. Meet Page
Emily Durgin John Raneri
Previews
NXN Northwest Championships (ID): (MILESPLIT ONSITE COVERAGE WITH ARON TAYLOR) Featuring nationally elite teams and individuals the Northwest Championship could be the most exciting in the nation. The country will see round two of US#1 Ferris and US#2 Henry Jackson. Last week Ferris downed then US#1 Henry Jackson in dominating fashion. This week, will be Jackson's turn to face a number one team as the roles have been reversed. Coming on strong with a late season surge defending NXN National Champion US#5 North Central travels to Boise's Eagle Island State Park to defend their '08 championship. A week ago, North Central ran a 15:45 average over 5000 meters to win the WIAA 3A State Championship. The girls race has been one for much anticipation. Early in the season Co-US#4 Shadle Park, WA was noticed breaking course records in the GSL. The Spokane program quickly caught attention as they decimated the field to claim the Mountain West Classic in Montana and last week dominated the WIAA 3A State Championship over US#13 Glacier Peak. Co-US#4 and defending NXN Northwest Champions Jesuit, OR have stormed through their season as well. Behind the legs of US#11 Annamarie Maag the team has claimed the Nike Pre-Nationals and Sunfair Championships. Annamarie Maag was runner-up last season and is the decisive favorite for the individual title. This past week dominating the OSAA 6A Championships. Jesuit and Shadle are two undefeated programs converging on the national championships. Do not count out US#13 Glacier Peak who narrowly lost to Shadle Park at the Washington State meet. These two teams are close and the race could be contested by single digits. The boys individual championship will be a toss-up of Idaho standout Eric Fitzpatrick, Washington's Conner Peloquin, Ben Johnston, and Adam Thorne. Barring the appearance of US#6 Shane Moskowitz, the race is a toss-up.
NXN Heartland Championships (SD): (MILESPLIT ONSITE COVERAGE WITH NICK CLAIR) Last season Bismarck, ND completed the race with the fastest total team time (16:08 avg.) however narrowly lost the team title to Wayzata 62-65. That team then competed at NXN Nationals finishing 14th in the nation. This year US#14 Bismarck is much improved and even faster! Recently, they smashed the North Dakota State Championships meet record with all seven varsity scorers in the top 9 places. Bismarck is the class of the field and should run uncontested to the national finals; competition should come from Eden Prairie, MN. The early favorite for the individual title is Bismarck's own Christian Brownotter who recently won the individual state title in 15:38.64. He will have to contend with Iowa state champion Brogan Austin who ran 15:35 to claim the title. Last season, Dowling Catholic missed a trip to NXN by (2) points, that does not look to be problematic this season. Led by two of the top runners in the nation D.C. is the clear favorite however in-state rivals Iowa City West, and Iowa City High could prove problematic. Katie Flood and Ashlie Decker are #1 and #2 nationally for 4k, but how will they stack up at 5K? Ashlie Decker is the defending champion however, Katie Flood, second at last years meet has had her number all season long. The title is a toss up between these two national standouts from Dowling Catholic. NXN Heartland Meet Page
NXN Midwest Championships (IN): (MILESPLIT ONSITE COVERAGE WITH PAUL EVERETT) York, IL won last years Midwest meet and went on to finish 2nd at NXN. But perhaps a bigger surprise out of Illinois was Neuqua Valley, who finished 5th at last years regional and then moved all the way up to 3rd at NXN. With the elimination of the at-large system this year they'll have to run better at the regional to move on, and this year's squad is good enough to do that, having beat both York and Loyola Academy at the Illinois state meet. Loyola Academy was 11th at last year's regional, but should be a threat to challenge for a top-2 placing at this years race. Out of Michigan Detroit Central Catholic is looking strong, having won the Lower Peninsula MI state meet with a 32-second 1-5 compression. St. Ignatius won the D1 OH State Championship race, and will be competing at the Midwest meet as well. The class of the boys individual field will be US#1 Zach Wills, who will be leading his Mason, OH squad at the Midwest meet. Michael Atchoo, MI, was a big winner at his state meet, and will be running for individual glory at the Midwest Championships. Chris Walden, IN, was only 10 seconds behind Futsum at the IN state meet, and looks very strong this year. In the girls race US#8 Magnificat, OH, is the class of the girls teams this year and should advance to Portland with relative ease. Madeline Chambers leads this talented squad, but also has a chance at individual honors as well. Hannah Neczypor, OH, finished 8-seconds back from Chambers at the OH D1 state meet, and should mix it up at the front as well. Lee's Summit West, MO, dominated their Class 4 state meet, but need a #5 runner to step up for a chance at a top-2 finish here. Chelsey Phoebus, MO, finished 1:03 behind Emily Sisson, but should place well in leading her team. Lavinia Jurkiewicz, IL, won the Class 3A state meet, and will be up at the front of the individual race. Frosh Tapring Goatee, IN, won the Indiana state meet and will be running for individual glory at the Midwest meet. NXN Midwest Meet Page
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