* Landon Kimmel broke the Ohio state meet record en route to his title
Photo Credit: David Nguyen/MileSplit
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While some states were gifted cool weather and prime racing conditions, others dealt with non-stop rain and mud-caked runners. Even with the less-than-ideal weather around the country, a lot of boys held their own and got the job done.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, November 7, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing girls from last weekend.
This Week's Nominees:
Braxton Theel, Olathe West (Kan.): In his final cross country race on Kansas soil, the senior picked up his first-ever in-state win, clocking 15:20.11 to win his first state title. Theel took down a loaded field with years of experience, ultimately pulling away over the last mile to put 16 seconds between him and the chase pack. Not only did Theel win his first state title, but he also earned winning the Bob Timmons Award, which is given to the fastest performer of the day at the 6A-5A-3A State Championships.
Nate Stadtlander, Meridian (Idaho): Before he takes his talents to Stillwater, Oklahoma to join the defending national champions, the Idaho star added another state title to his resume. Stadtlander broke the tape in 14:55.53, two seconds ahead of a pair of contenders from Boise and Coeur D'Alene. The senior broke 15:00 for the third time this season, and won his fourth race on the year. It's also worth noting that Stadtlander never finished outside of the top three this year, and has finished outside of the top 10 just six times out of his 33 high school cross country races
Robert Mechura, Roseville Area (Minn.): Is there a better way to end your in-state career than by going 7-0 with a state title? Well, that's precisely what North Carolina commit Robert Mechura did, beating Minnetonka's (Minn.) Sean Fries, 15:03.7-15:06.5. After his third-place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational a year ago, Mechura has gone 12-1 in cross country, with a pair of state titles and the NXR Heartland title during that run. Heading into his final NXR Heartland, Mechura is already the fastest in Minnesota history, but a trip below 14:30 would make him the first Minnesotan to do so.
Landon Kimmel, Tippecanoe (Ohio): After taking it out hot in a 4:35 first mile, Kimmel pushed late to win his first cross country state title in record-breaking fashion, lowering the Ohio state meet record to 14:33.81, the third-fastest time in Ohio History. It also happens to be the fifth-fastest time in the country this year. Kimmel's performance over the weekend was the fastest time ever ran by a junior in Ohio history, and the 20th fastest junior performance in high school history. Kimmel won by 14 seconds and led two other runners under 15:00 as well.
Soheib Dissa, Newtown (Conn.): After finishing runner-up as a junior, Dissa used his talent and experience to win the CIAC State Open title by 18 seconds. Dissa, who has lost just once this season, took care of business once again ahead of the New England Championships. Dissa has more than proved that he's the best runner in the state of Connecticut, but being the lone runner under 15:00 makes it pretty clear. The senior has a chance to become the fastest in state history, but would need to break 14:47 in the next few weeks to do so. Dissa sits less than a second shy of the state record, thanks to a PB of 14:47.6 he ran a few weeks ago.
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.)
Week 6: Caden Leonard, Southlake-Carroll (Texas)
Week 7: TJ Hansen, Freeland (Mich.)
Week 8: Ethan Zuber, Ankeny (Iowa)