NOTABLE PERFORMANCES FROM THE WEEKEND
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Ty Steorts, Hurricane (W. Va.): For the second straight year, Ty Steorts was by himself as he broke the tape at the adidas XC Challenge. Breaking his own meet record, Steorts crossed in 14:37.8, a new personal best by a second and the No. 3 time in the nation this season.
Robert Mechura, Roseville (Minn.): After finishing third a year ago, Mechura broke through and won the Roy Griak Invitational title, finishing with a time of 15:35 to win by over 17 seconds and continuing his unbeaten streak this season.
Owen Powell, Mercer Island (Ore.): In arguably the biggest race of the season, Powell's trip down to Irvine, California was a successful one as he out-leaned Crater's (Ore.) Josiah Tostenson at the line, 13:30.3-13:30.5. Powell is now the fastest high school athlete ever in a Three Mile race and shattered the all-time Woodbridge Classic meet record of 13:38, previously held by Leo Young.
Ty Cirino, OR Central (Ore.): At the Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook, the Oregon junior ran the U.S. #10 5K time of 14:43.20 to narrowly win the tile over a slew of top runners, after finishing 8th a year ago. He now ranks tied for 4th nationally for his junior class of 2026 this season.
Abby Faith Cheeseman, The Webb School of Bell Buckle (Tenn.): What a week it was for the Tennessee superstar, as Cheeseman picked up the season-opening win in 16:57 at the Meet in the Middle Invitational. Cheeseman led her teammates to a 1-5 finish, notching a perfect score.
Ella Hagen, Summit (Colo.): Three 5k races into her senior campaign, Hagen looks to be one of the most dangerous runners in the country. With a big-time win at the Liberty Bell Invitational last week, the future Colorado Buffalo didn't look too affected by the six-day turnaround, running away with her second consecutive win at the Roy Griak Invitational. Crossing in 18:02.9, Hagen successfully defended her 2023 title and kept her winning streak alive.
Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (Calif.): New course? Not a problem for the best of the best! The senior standout took roughly 12 seconds off of her previous best, winning the Woodbridge Classic in 15:20.3, a huge improvement.
Emily Wisniewski, Crescent Valley (Ore.): One of the next stars at North Carolina State, Wisniewski isn't messing around in her last cross-country season in the Pacific Northwest. In her fourth race of the season, Wisniewski clocked 16:55 for a runner-up finish, lowering her season best by 43 seconds. It also marks her first time under 17:00 this fall.
Mackenzie Skelly, Penn Charter (Penn.): The rising 8th-grade star, Skelly finished 13th at the adidas XC Challenge with a time of 17:16.50 which ranks #3 for her class this season and is the #3 time for any 8th-grade girl in the 5K for the last four years, only behind Gianna Rahmer and Hannah Genrich.