There is a shift in the landscape of the sport of cross country, and Woodbridge Cross Country Classic provided the stage to demonstrate that turnover. Since 2018, a California team or Individual has been the Nike Cross National Champion, and yet, neither a team nor an individual from California finished higher than seventh at Woodbridge. This is in large part due to the strength of the Southwest region, which sees seven teams in the COROS MileSplit 50 this week. Even more impressive, for the first time ever, two teams from Texas comprise the Top 5 in the country. And like Gig Harbor and Bozeman before them, one team from the Pacific Northwest is looking to make some waves.
The biggest challenge to the teams of Woodbridge came from Colorado, where an impressive Niwot finally displayed their potential at St. Vrain. Their compression was impressive, as well as their interchangeability through six runners. Did we mention they only have one senior in their top six?
On the East Coast, CBA is quietly rounding up to their 400th straight dual meet win, while a few more teams are only beginning to round into race shape.
The landscape sets up future heartbreak, as a max of four teams can make it out of each region in their pursuit of NXN, and the density out West could provide some of the best action of the entire Season. Until then, we take a look at how things lie nationally.