JANE MF HENDENGREN 16:32 Wins NXN by 40 Seconds

That wouldn't surprise me.

In 2017 it was raining and significantly it was run after the boys race had thoroughly chopped up the field. This year the girls ran first before the course was torn up and the winner had the best conditions of anyone. That probably means 15 seconds. There is a reason these races speed rated the same, and Tuohy broke the prior record by more and had a larger overall margin of victory. And age is a factor. Hedengren is now essentially college age, which in fairness seems to be the trend lately. In any event, in a best hypothetical race scenario, Tuohy ran better races. When someone else can run repeated 175+SR'ed races, does not lose in three years and wins NXN three times, then you will have a real comparison. Right now we have a Dudek redux.

Isn't Leachman better? Or going to be better?

Dear Astro,

This isn’t going to change.

1. Hedengren - 16:32

2. Touhy - 16:37

Raise your hand if you’ve never heard of Melody Fairchild.

He is working on a time machine so I guess you never know.

Neither does anything I mentioned.

Raise your hand if you have heard of Katelyn Tuohy.

It’s fair to say that Hedengren’s last three meets are among the best in girls XC history. But the larger body of work just doesn’t compare to Fairchild and Tuohy. But if Hedengren can get a world XC medal in 2025, I reserve the right to update this opinion.

USATF xc is January 11 in Lubbock, TX. I'm guessing that's one of the quick courses the Big 12 has run on.

Can't believe, if healthy, Leachman won't run at home. Macchia likes Team USA events. Could be a great field again.

I don't believe there is world xc in 2024.

I doubt that Hedengren can run a 5k in the 15:00 - 15:10 range this year. I think Hedengren wouid be closer to the 15:25 national record. But I hope she does at least one 5k on the track so we can find out for sure.

Agree. I don’t think the girls 5k is competitive enough for her to compete in it. I imagine she’ll focus on the 2 mile.

If you actually watch 2022, Irene Riggs would have broken Tuohy's 16:37 but went off course before the hills and had to go under the flags after a dead stop and get back on course.

In an interview yesterday after Foot Locker Leachman was asked about upcoming races and she said she would run 1 or 2 indoor meets then focus on outdoors. She didn't say anything about running any more xc races.

The course was dry as a bone and very fast that year. But correct.

The 2-mile at the Arcadia Invitational is a big reveal. Be there or be square.

Agree on judging GOAT status based upon overarching racing career vs a few individual races.

As a result, Melody & Katelyn are inseparable. Fairchild has 2 Foot Locker titles plus 3rd at World Jrs (during her senior year). Tuohy has 3 NXN titles.

If Tuohy had raced World Jrs and finished top-10, that would tip me in favor of her. But she didn't, so I can't.

Here's the kicker: Leachman has the opportunity to best them both.

In 2025 she has the opportunity to three-peat Foot Locker, win NXN the week before, then race World U-20 XC a month later. (Note: the date of the USA XC champs qualifying races has not been set so Leachman may have to choose between one of the hs national champs races if there is a scheduling conflict).

Next year, if Elizabeth wins just one of NXN/FL, qualifies for Tallahassee, then gets top-10 at World U20 XC, those accomplishments would award her the GOAT crown.

Don't really disagree with you on Leachman, particularly as she also has the track 5000.

You will get some pushback though as:

1- FL not as strong a field as NXN

2- She lost twice at NXN.🤔

Not sure GOATS lose.

I hope she can win FL again though as 3x FL Champ, cleaner to grasp than mixed titles (even if nxn has better field).

I also would not be shocked if Ritz improves a lot next year.