Then do the same for all the NXR regions? They changed the rules and made exceptions for athletes who havent proven to be exceptional. That is just the facts.
You gotta love how a class of runners is not "exceptional"? I don't agree with the decision, but it's Nike's party and they can do what they want just like Brooks is doing Golden Tickets or World Athletics is doing invites.
Both Mantecon and Adams ran 4:05/8:40 as sophomores. Mantecon placed 15th at NXN as a sophomore. Mantecon has been undefeated and won the FL state meet. Adams won his state meet and only lost one meet all year before NXR.
Rodriguez and Lincoln ran 10:04 and 4:37 as sophomores, with Rodriguez placing 8th at NXN as a sophomore. Both Rodriguez and Lincoln won their state meets in dominating fashion. Rodriguez was #2 for the season beating all the NXR qualifiers and was undefeated all season with a 30+ second margin of victory.
So yeah, those are unexceptional.
Matecon is a different story since the FL State meet was on the same day as NXR - that makes 100% since.
The others are exceptional athletes in general but are far from deserving of rules being rewritten just for them. They were not exceptional at NXR and that is how you get in to NXN. I would have loved to have seen Athing Mu in the Olympics but she didnt get the job done at the Trials. Every true XC/Track athlete knows that you have to be able to win when it matters. That is the beauty and painful reality of the sport. There are dozens of athletes who are as deserving or more (and everyone knows that by the way). The difference between NXN and Brooks Golden Ticket is that Brooks announced the rules from the beginning and NXN is just giving displaying blatant nepotism. They didnt make the top 5 on race day = no NXN. Period.
Doesn't look like Trabuco beat any auto teams during the year. They had a great last two meets beating JSerra and Santiago in the merge at CIF SS Finals. For the CIF state meet merge, they were essentially tied with JSerra depending on if they used the 16 or 18 team format to calculate the results. The teams flip flopped from 3/4 in those calculations.
Surprised CA got two wildcards again though. Probably a good year to spread the wealth a little.
Major Bias. Each of those runners are all Nike Elite. How about instead of awarding athletes for blowing NXR, we let them earn it.
Back in 2018, Alex Maier ran great all season, but had an off day at NXR (finishing 32nd. He was sick if I remember correctly), but got an individual at large to NXN and got top 10 there
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
LETSRUN - Why would you remove this post? Where is the violation?
I understand Macelo but giving Sophia Rodriguez and Ellery Lincoln an at-large bid is really sad and pathetic. There are dozens of girls more deserving than those two. They had a weak region and they couldnt get the job done - dont reward them for that. Especially since Brooks already gave them a golden ticket. They will be side-eyed by every athlete in Portland who earned a spot and resented by every talented athlete that ran NXR and missed out by 1-2 spots. Congrats NXN - you've made yourself illegitimate.
A laugh out loud post on so many levels! The only resentment that they will face is from armchair commentators like yourself. You've never been inside the ropes at NXN nor closely involved with this level of the sport. Keep hatin', little man!
LETSRUN - Why would you remove this post? Where is the violation?
I understand Macelo but giving Sophia Rodriguez and Ellery Lincoln an at-large bid is really sad and pathetic. There are dozens of girls more deserving than those two. They had a weak region and they couldnt get the job done - dont reward them for that. Especially since Brooks already gave them a golden ticket. They will be side-eyed by every athlete in Portland who earned a spot and resented by every talented athlete that ran NXR and missed out by 1-2 spots. Congrats NXN - you've made yourself illegitimate.
A laugh out loud post on so many levels! The only resentment that they will face is from armchair commentators like yourself. You've never been inside the ropes at NXN nor closely involved with this level of the sport. Keep hatin', little man!
Sounds like you're projecting...I doubt you've ever been inside the ropes of NXN or have been or coach an athlete who has competed at a high level. If you have, then you'd understand. If you are an elite XC and track athlete and you fall short of a goal - you accept responsibility for it and it drives you to keep working and improving. I have been to NXN a couple of times and I know that all the top runners in the country want to be there. When NXN gives free passes it does two things: a) it cheapens the efforts who earned the spot fair and square, b) it is an insult to the dozens of athletes who dreamed of going, gave it their all but just fell short. To be clear, I am not hating on the girls but the decision by NXN.
Since you have been, then you should know that the kids are on sensory overload all weekend and it's a love fest as they put faces to the names that they read about online. They're all focused on the WHQ tour, running on the Nike track, the course preview and gear haul, plus the race on Saturday morning. No one is hating at the after party. It's a bunch of tired but excited kids taking selfies and dancing to awful Top 40 music in the atrium of the Embassy Suites. The only drama outside of the race are murmurs of hookups and rumors that some team has alcohol in their rooms. Typical teen stuff, just away from home. I've not seen any hate, side-eye, seething, or resentment on display.
If you want change, then go straight to the decision makers. You know who they are, you have access, and you know that is far more effective than venting on a site with a mixed reputation amongst the real players in this sport. If Nike thinks that your opinions will improve the event, then they will strongly consider them. I am betting that NXN will keep growing despite a handful of athletes and their parents being disappointed.
Since you have been, then you should know that the kids are on sensory overload all weekend and it's a love fest as they put faces to the names that they read about online. They're all focused on the WHQ tour, running on the Nike track, the course preview and gear haul, plus the race on Saturday morning. No one is hating at the after party. It's a bunch of tired but excited kids taking selfies and dancing to awful Top 40 music in the atrium of the Embassy Suites. The only drama outside of the race are murmurs of hookups and rumors that some team has alcohol in their rooms. Typical teen stuff, just away from home. I've not seen any hate, side-eye, seething, or resentment on display.
If you want change, then go straight to the decision makers. You know who they are, you have access, and you know that is far more effective than venting on a site with a mixed reputation amongst the real players in this sport. If Nike thinks that your opinions will improve the event, then they will strongly consider them. I am betting that NXN will keep growing despite a handful of athletes and their parents being disappointed.
What teams would bring alcohol! That’s extremely illegal. Nike do better, parents do better
D1 girls had the biggest advantage of the day knowing what time it was going to take to advance. No one cares work harder run faster. You don’t hear souther session milers who break 5 complain that north cal has 5 minute milers make it to state.
California cross country deserves strong defense because it offers one of the most competitive, diverse, and demanding running environments in the nation. Runners face everything from desert heat to coastal hills, mountain trails, and high-altitude courses—conditions that build toughness and versatility unmatched by most states. The depth of talent is extraordinary: massive participation, elite club systems, and powerhouse programs create fields where even a mid-pack runner could be a top finisher anywhere else. The state’s championship structure also forces athletes to consistently perform under pressure, advancing through league, section, and state meets that are often more competitive than national races. Far from being “easy,” California cross country is a true proving ground, shaping runners who are resilient, tactical, and battle-tested at every level.
Last year California boys teams went 11, 15, 17. Not as high as other regions except Southeast / Heartland / New York
I’ve got no dog in the fight, but if I’m Mead I am furious right now. Losing by 1 point and not getting an at large is crazy to me.
They lost to a team that ended up 19th at NXN and got beat by all California teams there
I think Mead had more momentum going into the post season. Lewis and Clark from Spokane finished 10th at NXN in 2018 after finished 3rd (by one point) at NXR NW (they were the highest placing NW team at NXN)
Though LC scored under 100 points at NXR...
Generally agreed, Lincoln and Jesuit underperformed, doesn't help prove Mead should have gone.
I’ve got no dog in the fight, but if I’m Mead I am furious right now. Losing by 1 point and not getting an at large is crazy to me.
They lost to a team that ended up 19th at NXN and got beat by all California teams there
Lincoln definitely underperformed at NXN with their speed ratings all being 5-9 points short of what they were at NXR. The Mead boys did relatively well at the Brooks West Regional with their top 5 all finishing in the top 70 and their speed ratings looking better than Mira Costa's at NXN. I think if the Mead boys got the opportunity to run at NXN they would have been well ahead of Lincoln and right there with the California schools. Sucks that they didn't get a shot but I think in the future they need to travel out of their region more to get more exposure and make a case for themselves.
They lost to a team that ended up 19th at NXN and got beat by all California teams there
Lincoln definitely underperformed at NXN with their speed ratings all being 5-9 points short of what they were at NXR. The Mead boys did relatively well at the Brooks West Regional with their top 5 all finishing in the top 70 and their speed ratings looking better than Mira Costa's at NXN. I think if the Mead boys got the opportunity to run at NXN they would have been well ahead of Lincoln and right there with the California schools. Sucks that they didn't get a shot but I think in the future they need to travel out of their region more to get more exposure and make a case for themselves.
why does that matter? The California teams have 4-5 gauntlet weeks of races before nxn and have to race in conditions they are completely foreign to but nobody on here ever makes any excuses for them.
