Entering its sixth year, Nike Cross Nationals is running strong, with exciting action across the board heading into this year’s final. The team championship is up for grabs with over a half dozen teams in contention for the title, while the individual race is stronger than ever.
As usual, the team race consists of nationally experienced squads, while a few teams have emerged from the woodwork this year to contend for the national crown. Powerhouse squads Elmhurst (IL), North Spokane (WA) and Albuquerque (NM) have plenty of experience running at NXN. Elmhurst is the only team to have qualified all six years, finishing top two three times, while North Spokane won the team title in 2008 and Albuquerque is making its fourth consecutive appearance, and earned a third place finish in 2007.
The notable veterans might have an edge in past results, but the contenders list is strong with South Spokane (WA), American Fork (UT), Boerne (TX) and Snellville (GA) all showing they are capable of a big race when it counts most. American Fork leads the way after upending Albuquerque at the NXN Southwest Regional on the sixth-man tiebreaker, as both teams scored 74 points, while Boerne and Snellville each won their respective NXN regional races.
Other teams to keep an eye on are 2007 national champions Naperville (IL), five-time qualifier The Woodlands (TX), Wilmette (IL) and Dana Point (CA).
While the obvious focus is on the team race at NXN every year, this year’s individual race features four of the top five ranked individuals according to Dyestat.com. Joe Rosa (Jr., Plainsboro, NJ) and Jim Rosa (Jr., Plainsboro, NJ) head into Saturday’s race as the odds-on-favorites to finish 1-2, after their sweep of the top two spots at NXN Northeast. Joe has smashed course records all season long, while Jim has shown he can challenge for the top spot. Joe Rosa is the top returnee to NXN this fall after placing fourth in 2008.
Not to be outdone, Zach Wills (Jr., Mason, OH) looks to push the Rosa Brothers all the way to the line. Wills ran through the competition this fall, including a dominant victory at NXN Midwest.
The Texas contingent is strong, as Craig Lutz (Jr., Marcus, TX), Parker Stinson (Sr., Cedar Park, TX) and Ryan Dohner (Sr., Spring, TX) should push the early pace. Lutz placed fifth at NXN in 2008, and dominated the Texas State Cross Country Championships a few weeks back, while Dohner won the NXN South Regional by 13 seconds.
Meanwhile, California enters a leading trio of Elias Geydon (Jr., Los Angeles, CA), Ammar Moussa (Jr., Arcadia, CA) and Erik Olson (Sr., Novato, CA). The three runners ran the top three times at the California State Cross Country Championships this past weekend, with Moussa winning DI in 14:59, Geydon winning DII in 15:00 and Olson winning DIII in 15:01.
