The Undefeated Shine at Foot Locker Midwest Regional
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The Foot Locker Midwest Regional showcased elite cross-country talent, with the top runners battling for coveted spots at the prestigious Foot Locker Nationals. Only the top ten athletes from each gender secured their tickets to San Diego, and the performances were nothing short of remarkable.
Boys Race Recap
In the boys' race, Juan Gonzalez of Fremont High School cemented his dominance this season by winning in 14:58.80. Gonzalez's undefeated streak continues as he adds this title to his Nike Heartland Regional victory. His time ranks as the 17th fastest in Foot Locker Midwest history, and he now heads to Nationals as one of the top contenders. Gonzalez was also the top returner from last year's Midwest regional, solidifying his reputation as a consistent powerhouse.
Minnetonka junior Sean Fries earned his first-ever trip to a national meet with a second-place finish in 15:00.00. Fries ran a smart and tactical race, staying with the lead pack throughout and executing a strong final surge to secure the runner-up position.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Juan Gonzalez | 12 | Fremont High School | 14:58.80 | ||
| 2 |  Sean Fries | 11 | Minnetonka High School | 15:00.00 | ||
| 3 |  Ben Crane | 12 | Winnetka (New Trier) | 15:03.30 | ||
| 4 |  Philip Cupial | 11 | Downers Grove (North) | 15:03.40 | ||
| 5 |  Salvador (Sal) Wirth | 12 | Annandale High School | 15:04.30 | ||
| 6 |  Benjamin Anderson | 12 | Mountain Vista High School | 15:05.00 | ||
| 7 |  Noah Bontrager | 11 | Westview High School | 15:05.80 | ||
| 8 |  Robert Mechura | 12 | Roseville Area High School | 15:05.90 | ||
| 9 |  Sam Quagliaroli | 12 | Fishers High School | 15:06.20 | ||
| 10 |  Liam Bauschke | 12 | Mishawaka High School | 15:06.80 |
New Trier's Ben Crane finished third in 15:03.30, showcasing his experience and resilience as he qualified for Nationals for the second consecutive year. He narrowly edged out Philip Cupial of Downers Grove North, who clocked 15:03.40 to take fourth in his first Midwest regional.
Annandale's Salvador Wirth delivered one of the most remarkable improvements of the day, moving up from 19th last year to finish fifth in 15:04.30. Wirth's progression highlights his hard work and determination, earning him a spot in San Diego. Mountain Vista senior Benjamin Anderson claimed sixth in 15:05.00, joining Gonzalez and Crane as the only boys to qualify for Nationals two years in a row from the Foot Locker Midwest Regional.
Noah Bontrager of Westview followed closely in seventh with a time of 15:05.80, holding off a late charge from Roseville's Robert Mechura, who took eighth in 15:05.90. Bontrager showed remarkable improvement over last year where he finished 25th and Mechura qualified for nationals in his fist Foot Locker regional.
Fishers High School's Sam Quagliaroli finished ninth in 15:06.20, solidifying his spot at Nationals with a steady and well-executed race. Rounding out the top ten was Mishawaka's Liam Bauschke, who clocked 15:06.80. After narrowly missing qualification last year with a 12th-place finish, Bauschke's perseverance paid off as he earned his first trip to San Diego.
Girls Race Recap
The girls' race was headlined by Michigan's Victoria Garces, who stayed undefeated this season with a dominant win in 17:14.60. Garces, who finished eighth last year, improved significantly to claim the Midwest title. Adding this victory to her NXR Midwest Regional win, she now heads to Nationals as one of the favorites.
Michigan's Jessica Jazwinski qualified for Nationals for the third consecutive year, finishing second in 17:25.00. Jazwinski, who placed fourth in 2022 and 2023, delivered her best Midwest performance yet. She finished ninth at Foot Locker Nationals last year and is aiming for another strong showing in San Diego.
Forest Lake Area senior Norah Hushagen claimed third in 17:27.00, earning her first trip to Foot Locker Nationals and her third overall national qualification. Hushagen's consistent season notched her a spot at nationals after another standout season.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Victoria Garces | 12 | Midland Dow | 17:14.60 | ||
| 2 |  Jessica Jazwinski | 12 | Unattached - MI | 17:25.00 | ||
| 3 |  Norah Hushagen | 12 | Forest Lake Area High School | 17:27.00 | ||
| 4 |  Emily Cohen | 11 | Cherry Creek High School | 17:33.30 | ||
| 5 |  Libby Dowty | 11 | Indian Creek High School | 17:34.80 | ||
| 6 |  Ruby Ihmels | 10 | Century High School | 17:39.10 | ||
| 7 |  Mallory Weller | 11 | Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran High School | 17:40.40 | 1 | |
| 8 |  Rosie Mucharsky | 12 | Denver East High School | 17:41.20 | ||
| 9 |  Kate Foltz | 11 | Tuscola | 17:42.70 | ||
| 10 |  Brooke Chapman | 11 | Olen. Orange | 17:48.40 |
Cherry Creek's Emily Cohen crossed the line in fourth with a time of 17:33.30, qualifying for the second consecutive year. Cohen finished 22nd at Nationals last year and is looking to improve upon that result. Indian Creek's Libby Dowty rounded out the top five in 17:34.80, making her second straight trip to Nationals. Dowty placed 19th in San Diego last year.
Century sophomore Ruby Ihmels impressed with a sixth-place finish in 17:39.10, securing her second consecutive Nationals berth. Interestingly, Ihmels qualified last year through the West Regional, where she finished 23rd at Nationals. Fort Wayne Concordia's Mallory Weller improved from 21st last year to finish seventh, earning her first trip to San Diego.
Denver East senior Rosie Mucharsky took eighth in 17:41.20, building on her 15th-place finish from last year. Tuscola's Kate Foltz qualified for her first national meet, finishing ninth in 17:42.70. Olen. Orange's Brooke Chapman secured the final qualifying spot in 17:48.40. Chapman narrowly missed Nationals last year after finishing 12th and returned this year with determination to claim her spot.