It’s gotta be Nico at Nats

I ran it, it was about a quarter mile short. Maybe just beyond that.

Yeah, Sprout said so in an interview last week that was posted on Milesplit. Stanford obviously didn't need him. He didn't give the impression that Nats was at risk.

Everyone here is looking to the west. When that happens, often a breeze comes in from the East.

I don't have any insights on this, but it appears to be a blind spot.

Graham Blanks, Parker Wolfe, or Nick Scudder for the win!

If he were tempoing, he'd be capable of running about 10-15 seconds per mile faster racing, which would have put him in the mid 26s.

Ky is my pick to win although I see him as a co-favorite with Alex Maier/OK State

Has really held back his last two races. Not even interested in competing for the Pac-12 win.

But, he gave the college running scene a real big hint when he won Nuttycombe off just a few weeks of serious training after taking a month off following his Commonwealth 27:42/10k pr early August. His post-race interviews suggested even he was surprised at the result.

Also, Cole Sprout is back running following a week of cross training in the pool and on a bike to rest a sore hamstring. Don't expect him to contend for the win but he should be ready to compete at a high level on Saturday. Stanford's Big 3 are back -- could even say the team now has a Big 5 since Hart and Meika B-R showed at West Regionals that their Pac-12 performances were no flukes.

Disregard Maier's regional race. The Cowboy Jamboree and Big-12s are all that matter.

So, pretty much believe Robinson & Maier are now your favorites.

Look for Young & Hicks right behind them.

You've got to take into account the 2021 nationals. Hicks came 4th ahead of all his current competition, he seems to deliver when it matters most, under pressure, particularly in XC and not just at NCAAs as 3 weeks after that race he won gold for Great Britain at Euro u23s against a quality field with a tough finish. That being said Robinson seems supremely talented and surely has a big, big run in him. Hicks and Sprout have both been more consistent than him but in a one off race such as this one Robinson seems like he might be the one to deliver the goods. Nico Young on the other hand doesn't seem to have a 1st place finish in him, top 5 for sure but no way he wins it. There's 10-12 guys there that you could seriously make an argument to get top 2-3. It's anyone's guess who wins it.

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How do we think the Charlotte guy will place?

Of the guys who think they have a shot to win, who wants the fastest pace through 8k and keeps it really tough before the late moves?

Is that Nico or someone else?

Hicks wants it fast but not from the gun, he's going to make a big move sometime in the race. Robinson has the kick and wants it slow. Maier is versatile and has home course advantage so he's good with either. Nico might just go hard from the gun or use surges to break the field, I know NAU has been doing a lot of alternation workouts this year so Nico might handle surges the best.

I believe Nico's effort at conference will be replicated on Saturday. He showed us the blue print and will execute again, it's also how he destroyed the field at nxn, of course that field will be more tough on Saturday.

If not in contention to win, then top 5 for sure

Very philosophical!

Are you forgetting Connor Mantz?!? Like duh!

History once again proved to be a good guide for predicting the future. Great effort from Nico today but the older runner won. Congratulations to Hicks for winning the championship. Here’s hoping Nico wins next year.

Why is a 25 year old allowed to race NCAA? And why does BYU get an exemption as well - they can do their mission trip after, right?

Hicks is barely older than Nico, he just turned 21 at the end of summer. Incredible race though loads of talking points.

Hicks is a full year older than Nico; Hicks was born July 25, 2001 and Nico was born July 27, 2002. I believe a one-year age difference during male runners’ formative years is significant from a physical development standpoint, particularly as it pertains to the development of the strength that’s required to win a cross country 10k. Hicks winning today at age 21 is in line with the recent championship history I cited. The men’s NCAA cross country champion has been 21 or older in 82 percent of the races held since 2000.

Being one year older and still only being 21 years old is a bit different to the recent championship history you cited which contains a man in his mid twenties winning back to back championships don't you think?