The Coach needs to be smart here, and hold her back now for her own good. I wouldn’t pressure to put her in until ACC’s. And I would consider making her a team co-captain, even as a sophomore.
Sorry, I think she’s a Junior now. She earned her stripes to be a worthy captain.
The Coach needs to be smart here, and hold her back now for her own good. I wouldn’t pressure to put her in until ACC’s. And I would consider making her a team co-captain, even as a sophomore.
Sorry, I think she’s a Junior now. She earned her stripes to be a worthy captain.
I have heard Henes say a few times "we don't have captains". Natural leaders emerge. But I agree, even Nuttycombe is probably a little early for her to race again. She has experience from last year in XC including Nationals and now running with leaders in steeple so she should be fine.
Sorry, I think she’s a Junior now. She earned her stripes to be a worthy captain.
I have heard Henes say a few times "we don't have captains". Natural leaders emerge. But I agree, even Nuttycombe is probably a little early for her to race again. She has experience from last year in XC including Nationals and now running with leaders in steeple so she should be fine.
After recovering from the travel, sleep deprivation, and stress from worrying about missed classes, etc., she will then need somewhat of a reset to get her body aerobically adapted to the longer 6k hilly races on grass.
She has been going non-stop pressing for a long time now; the risk of overtraining, burnout, and/or injury are real, although she may want to “push through” (she corrected herself to say “keep going” in the post-race interview.)
I have heard Henes say a few times "we don't have captains". Natural leaders emerge. But I agree, even Nuttycombe is probably a little early for her to race again. She has experience from last year in XC including Nationals and now running with leaders in steeple so she should be fine.
After recovering from the travel, sleep deprivation, and stress from worrying about missed classes, etc., she will then need somewhat of a reset to get her body aerobically adapted to the longer 6k hilly races on grass.
She has been going non-stop pressing for a long time now; the risk of overtraining, burnout, and/or injury are real, although she may want to “push through” (she corrected herself to say “keep going” in the post-race interview.)
It’s an interesting comparison between Napoleon’s race history over the past year, starting with the U20 championships last August, to that of 20yr-old Almayew (5th at Paris Olympics), who won that U20 Championship, and finished 3rd at the Tokyo WC.
All I see for Almayew’s race history is what is in her WA profile. Napoleon has a few races logged at TFRRS that aren’t in her WA profile.
Per her WA profile, Almayew didn’t race last fall. Napoleon raced six cross-country races, including Natty’s, and a 3000m indoor at the BU Opener in December.
Almayew has raced seven times so far in 2025, six of them were steeple races. Napoleon has raced 22 times in 2025; some of those were DMR, but she raced the steeple 11 times.
I took in the Adidas XC race this afternoon/evening. Of the the big names, only Gapes, Putnam, and Michalak ran, but all three looked strong in hot weather and without any real competition. Gapes won with a time of 16:01 over 5K, which I believe bests any other NC State runner at this meet in the last few years if not longer. I was hoping to see Brooke Rauber run but she did not compete, nor of course did Napoleon, Hartman or Sadie Englehardt. But throw in Hartman and a strong season from just one of those others that did not toe the line and you've almost certainly got a podium team at the least.
I took in the Adidas XC race this afternoon/evening. Of the the big names, only Gapes, Putnam, and Michalak ran, but all three looked strong in hot weather and without any real competition. Gapes won with a time of 16:01 over 5K, which I believe bests any other NC State runner at this meet in the last few years if not longer. I was hoping to see Brooke Rauber run but she did not compete, nor of course did Napoleon, Hartman or Sadie Englehardt. But throw in Hartman and a strong season from just one of those others that did not toe the line and you've almost certainly got a podium team at the least.
That was a 46 second year-over-year improvement at the Adidas XC Challenge for Putnam. Michalak ran the course today 2sec faster than Gapes’ time last year.
You listed what very well could be their 2025 Natty’s Squad of seven, with Scheffler, Bickerstaff, Welsh and Quarzo in reserve. Their depth is impressive. 👀
I took in the Adidas XC race this afternoon/evening. Of the the big names, only Gapes, Putnam, and Michalak ran, but all three looked strong in hot weather and without any real competition. Gapes won with a time of 16:01 over 5K, which I believe bests any other NC State runner at this meet in the last few years if not longer. I was hoping to see Brooke Rauber run but she did not compete, nor of course did Napoleon, Hartman or Sadie Englehardt. But throw in Hartman and a strong season from just one of those others that did not toe the line and you've almost certainly got a podium team at the least.
Englehardt ran a ton this summer, wouldn't be surprised if she redshirts XC so she can rest.
Englehardt ran a ton this summer, wouldn't be surprised if she redshirts XC so she can rest.
SE ran less than ten 800/1500/mile races between May and Sep.
She may redshirt, but not because she needs rest.
On Pack team.
If they have Hartman, Gapes, Putman, Michalak, Napolèon and Rauber healthy, they only need 1-2 bench/freshman to step up.
SE could still be part of that, or she debuts in indoor track.
they have Templier and Armitage as well. If they are healthy they may not need Engelhardt in a top 7 but maybe she burns a redshirt to be in the varsity squad to travel to the other meets.
they have Templier and Armitage as well. If they are healthy they may not need Engelhardt in a top 7 but maybe she burns a redshirt to be in the varsity squad to travel to the other meets.
Yep, they even have 4-5 others who could run spots 6-7.
I actually do think SE will run for team this fall.
In the new environment, SE may formally turn pro long before she needs to worry about preserving seasons. 2:02/4:07 not a bad starting point.
The team podium places are greatly influenced by those 4-7’s. At last year’s West Regional, less than two seconds separated Zenah Cheptoo (19:46.8), Fleur Templier (19:47.7), Klaudia Kazamierska (19:48.6), and Riley Stewart (19:49.7).
Yet at Natty’s, they ended up separating by up to 89 places: Templier (11th in 19:47.7) Cheptoo (47th in 20:08.8), Stewart (58th in 20:18.1), Kazamierska (100th in 20:31.8).
Like Napoleon says, “It’s just a matter of who’s gonna show up and do it”.
The team podium places are greatly influenced by those 4-7’s. At last year’s West Regional, less than two seconds separated Zenah Cheptoo (19:46.8), Fleur Templier (19:47.7), Klaudia Kazamierska (19:48.6), and Riley Stewart (19:49.7).
Yet at Natty’s, they ended up separating by up to 89 places: Templier (11th in 19:47.7) Cheptoo (47th in 20:08.8), Stewart (58th in 20:18.1), Kazamierska (100th in 20:31.8).
Like Napoleon says, “It’s just a matter of who’s gonna show up and do it”.
Agree on conclusion, but Templier did not run Nationals last year?
I show this cluster for 10-14 at the West Regional with their Nationals time & Place
Zenah Cheptoo Washington St. 19:46.8 - 20:08.8 (47) Fleur Templier Portland 19:47.7 - N/A Klaudia Kazimierska Oregon 19:48.6 - 20:31.8 (100) Riley Stewart Stanford 19:49.7 - 20:18.1 (58) Maeve Stiles Washington 19:49.7 - 20:18.3 (59)
The team podium places are greatly influenced by those 4-7’s. At last year’s West Regional, less than two seconds separated Zenah Cheptoo (19:46.8), Fleur Templier (19:47.7), Klaudia Kazamierska (19:48.6), and Riley Stewart (19:49.7).
Yet at Natty’s, they ended up separating by up to 89 places: Templier (11th in 19:47.7) Cheptoo (47th in 20:08.8), Stewart (58th in 20:18.1), Kazamierska (100th in 20:31.8).
Like Napoleon says, “It’s just a matter of who’s gonna show up and do it”.
Agree on conclusion, but Templier did not run Nationals last year?
I show this cluster for 10-14 at the West Regional with their Nationals time & Place
Zenah Cheptoo Washington St. 19:46.8 - 20:08.8 (47) Fleur Templier Portland 19:47.7 - N/A Klaudia Kazimierska Oregon 19:48.6 - 20:31.8 (100) Riley Stewart Stanford 19:49.7 - 20:18.1 (58) Maeve Stiles Washington 19:49.7 - 20:18.3 (59)
🤪Thanks for the correction!👍
(My previous handle was evidently banned for that mistake.😆)
I took in the Adidas XC race this afternoon/evening. Of the the big names, only Gapes, Putnam, and Michalak ran, but all three looked strong in hot weather and without any real competition. Gapes won with a time of 16:01 over 5K, which I believe bests any other NC State runner at this meet in the last few years if not longer. I was hoping to see Brooke Rauber run but she did not compete, nor of course did Napoleon, Hartman or Sadie Englehardt. But throw in Hartman and a strong season from just one of those others that did not toe the line and you've almost certainly got a podium team at the least.
I too was there and my observations were similar. It was fairly warm (85 or higher I'd guess), probably similar to last year. The 2K split for the top 3 was almost exactly what Hartman and Gapes were last year, meaning Gapes last 3K was 25 seconds faster this year.
I did notice 1 FR (I will not name, but not Englehardt) with some device strapped to her left upper leg so an apparent injury. If 2 of those who did not run (Templier/Armitage/Rauber/Englehardt and others) can run with Michalak and Putman this is a very strong team once Hartman and Napoleon are included. I am curious to see how LACCTiC rates the performances - last year 16:26 for Gapes was 15:47.
NC State cross country opened its 2025 season with a statement, as the women’s team won the Adidas XC Challenge and the men placed third. Putman: “Our team definitely preaches doing everything right every day.”
Thanks for sharing your insights from the meet. Although many of the runners being speculated to be key contributors this season were held out of the race the results for Gapes, Putman and Michalak were outstanding! Obviously this is months away from the national meet and a lot can happen between now and then but it appears that the Wolfpacks depth this season could be a strength! Hartman and Gapes have proven they are two of the elite cross country runners in the nation looks like there is good potential of pairing some other studs with them this season. Based on what Hartman posted after dropping out of the national meet it seemed that was a precautionary measure to avoid risking a significant injury for cross country season. Coming into the season no one was speculating on the potential of Putman to be an all American at the national meet; if she maintains or improves her fitness that certainly seems plausible! It’s amazing to see these athletes come in and the progression they make running for coach Henes!!!
Can't take credit for predicting Putman, but she did improve quite a bit at mile and 1500 in track. So not a complete surprise that her xc is better too.
Can't take credit for predicting Putman, but she did improve quite a bit at mile and 1500 in track. So not a complete surprise that her xc is better too.
Fingers crossed now for good health.
Her 2024 Season Fitness Estimate was after 2024 Natty’s. The algorithm appropriately indicates the Adidas XC Challenge effort displayed a huge jump in 5k fitness.
When you click on Individual Results for that race, Putnam has a green arrow with the number 9 beside it; I’m not sure what that means.
Can't take credit for predicting Putman, but she did improve quite a bit at mile and 1500 in track. So not a complete surprise that her xc is better too.
Fingers crossed now for good health.
Her 2024 Season Fitness Estimate was after 2024 Natty’s. The algorithm appropriately indicates the Adidas XC Challenge effort displayed a huge jump in 5k fitness.
When you click on Individual Results for that race, Putnam has a green arrow with the number 9 beside it; I’m not sure what that means.
