* Cameron Todd won last week's NPOTW honor
Photo Credit: MileSplit
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For the second time this season, Brebeuf Jesuit (IN) star Cameron Todd is the National Performer of the Week.
Todd is now the first athlete this season to win multiple times, with his first win coming back in Week 6.
Todd claimed his seventh win of the season just over a week ago, winning big at the NXR Midwest Championship at LaVern Gibson in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Todd pulled away for the win in 14:43.8, also leading seven other high schoolers under 15:00. This was his ninth top two finish and a new five-second PR. Todd picked up over three-quarters of last week's votes, 76-percent to be exact.
Congratulations to Todd for winning his second NPOTW Honor, and as always, a round of applause for the other four nominees.
Here are this week's five nominees for the National Performer of the Week.
This Week's Nominees:
Daniel Simmons, American Fork (UT): Just as he has all season, Simmons dictated the race from the get-go and left with his 10th win of the season. At NXR Southwest, Simmons defended his 2022 title, winning in 14:41.13, making for a comfortable ten second margin of victory. Simmons also led his team to the regional title, as they'll head to Portland, OR next week.
Noah Valyo, Athens Drive (NC): The NC State commit seemed to be saving his best for last, clocking a brand new PR to win the NXR Southeast title over the weekend. Valyo dismantled a very deep field and took down a lot of the pre-race favorites. Going along with his free ticket to NXN, Valyo also etched his name in history, running the fourth fastest time in course history.
Patrick Koon, Leon (FL): Make that three straight FHSAA 3A state titles for the future Stanford Cardinal. Koon ended his in-state season with his eighth straight win, and his fifth overall. Koon had more competition than he may have expected, but held on for the seven second victory in 15:02.1. Koon also led Leon to a third place team finish.
Paul Bergeron, Westford Academy (MA): It was the perfect ending to a perfect season for Bergeron, winning his fifth straight race and successfully defending his MIAA state title from his junior campaign. Bergeron stopped the clock in 15:06.4, his second fastest performance of the year. Bergeron put just under 20 seconds between himself and the next finisher.
Joseph Bariola, Lakeside (AR): Before Saturday, Bariola had only ran faster than 15:30 four times in his career, and had never broke 15:10. Well, the recently crowned NXR South champion lowered his lifetime best all the way down to 14:52.9, taking down a loaded field at Bear Branch Park. Bariola more than held his own with the region's big dogs, establishing himself as a contender for the NXN crown.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Daniel Hruska, Cherry Creek (CO)
Week 2: Ethan Edgeworth, Cold Springs (AL)
Week 3: Bazil Mathes, Monticello (VA)
Week 4: Will Conway, Floyd Central (IN)
Week 5: Clay Shively, Trinity Academy (KS)
Week 6: Cameron Todd, Brebeuf Jesuit (IN)
Week 7: Noah Valyo, Athens Drive (NC)
Week 8: Nolan McGinn, Fayetteville-Manliius (NY)
Week 9: Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (NE)
Week 10: Brennan Draper, Chaparral (CO)
Week 11: Ethan Gonzalez, Richland Hills North (TX)
Week 12: Cameron Todd, Brebeuf Jesuit (IN)