* Caden Leonard is one of the top runners in the country this season
Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/MileSplit California
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A trio of Oregonians and a pair of stars from Texas and Illinois had themselves a weekend, as all five boys threw down statement wins as we draw nearer to the postseason.
From the ASICS Clovis Invite to the Naperville Twilight, the U.S. distance scene was treated to elite racing despite the quieter week.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 17, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing boys from last weekend.
This Week's Nominees:
Hayden Boaz, Summit (Ore.): The winner of four straight is coming off of a huge lifetime best in the 5k at the 4th Annual Rose City Championship Invite. Boaz clocked 14:31.1 in his win, as he took 11 seconds off of his PB. Boaz led 10 other guys under 15:00, all while becoming the No. 1 Oregonian this season. Boaz also moved up to No. 3 all-time in state history.
Caden Leonard, Southlake-Carroll (Texas): In the first qualifier for the UIL State Championship, Leonard handily took down the field, running 14:33.5 for 5k as he lowered his PB for the second time this season. Leonard won by 18 seconds, leading the Dragons to a District title. Leonard remains the only Texan under 14:40 in 2024 and currently holds the No. 3 spot in the country.
Josiah Tostenson, Crater (Ore.): A few weeks after an incredibly close runner-up finish at the Woodbridge Classic, Tostenson didn't leave anything up to chance in his most recent trip down to California. The future Washington Husky held off a field loaded with talent, running 14:41.3 to win the ASICS Clovis Invitational. The Oregon star also helped lead the Comets to a third-place team finish. In his first three races of his senior year, he's yet to finish outside of the top two spots.
Philip Cupial, Downers Grove North (Ill.): One of the top returners Illinois has to offer, Cupial has had a quiet yet great junior season so far. Cupial recently won the Naperville Twilight Invite, running a six-second PB over three miles. Cupial clocked 14:24.09 just ahead of teammate Grant Schroder, as the Trojans took down rival Plainfield North (Ill.), 45-55. Cupial is the third-fastest Illinoisan this fall and the second-fastest in 3A.
Sawyer Marquis, Forest Grove (Ore.): After finishing runner-up and fifth in his last two 5k races, Marquis finally picked up his first win at the distance, clocking 14:50.6 to win the Champoeg Invitational. This was the third-straight race that Marquis set a new lifetime best in, but this performance also moved him way up in the all-time lists, past Olympic medalist Galen Rupp. Marquis currently sits No. 3 in Oregon's 6A class.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Ruel Newberry, Denton-Guyer (Texas)
Week 2: Luke Alverson, James Clemens (Ala.)
Week 3: Alex Bruns, St. Xavier (Ohio)
Week 4: Tayshaun Ogomo, Herriman (Utah)
Week 5: Jackson Hogsed, Lambert (Ga.)