Agreed. If all this lines up and Elin Latta really is going to Vista, not only will Vista win NXN, they will go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of HS girls cross country.
Indeed. That 45 minute commute from Elizabeth to Highlands Ranch better work out is all I say...
Most of the former Newbury team members lived far away
I honestly don’t know how anyone could predict anyone other than Sadie Englehart. How could anyone predict anyone else other than her? She obviously just had a bad race at NXN last year.
Any of the top 4 can win NXN:
Engelhardt, Ritzenhein, Leachman, and Hedengren.
At Woodbridge 2023, the race was close between Hedengren, Leachman, and Engelhardt
I honestly don’t know how anyone could predict anyone other than Sadie Englehart. How could anyone predict anyone else other than her? She obviously just had a bad race at NXN last year.
First, Englehart is beast mode. Straight up!
As for how I can predict others over her, that is easy, she seems to be trending more middle- distance. Competing from the 200M and up. And with a 12+ minute 3200M last year, after putting down a high 9, indicates either a change in regimen and distance adaptation or an injury. Either places Englehart as not in NXN winner contention.
And with a 12+ minute 3200M last year, after putting down a high 9, indicates either a change in regimen and distance adaptation or an injury. Either places Englehart as not in NXN winner contention.
For the record that 12 minute 32 was because she was pacing a teammate not because she was injured. But I certainly agree her focus last year was in the 800 to mile range almost certainly because the goal of her training was to make the Olympic trials in the 1500. and speed work to help her finish was the focus over endurance work. and it sure seemed to pay off.
doesnt mean she wont be a force to be reckoned with in cross country though, especially at the fast surface CA meets. well see if she has something to prove at NXN or if she is content to go back to Footlocker. I feel like the competitor in her will want to take on the challenge of getting an NXN title before she graduates but she would likely need ideal conditions to pull it off. and even then beating a wiser better pacing Leachman and an actually healthy Hendegren would be an enormous task.
And with a 12+ minute 3200M last year, after putting down a high 9, indicates either a change in regimen and distance adaptation or an injury. Either places Englehart as not in NXN winner contention.
For the record that 12 minute 32 was because she was pacing a teammate not because she was injured. But I certainly agree her focus last year was in the 800 to mile range almost certainly because the goal of her training was to make the Olympic trials in the 1500. and speed work to help her finish was the focus over endurance work. and it sure seemed to pay off.
doesnt mean she wont be a force to be reckoned with in cross country though, especially at the fast surface CA meets. well see if she has something to prove at NXN or if she is content to go back to Footlocker. I feel like the competitor in her will want to take on the challenge of getting an NXN title before she graduates but she would likely need ideal conditions to pull it off. and even then beating a wiser better pacing Leachman and an actually healthy Hendegren would be an enormous task.
I had to up vote this; you make a great point! Ritz's kid though... mud is hard to run in. I am leaning that in ideal conditions Ritzenhein will win, as the Colorado State XC course is hard, and fast, if not hilly and hot most years, showing she can run well in different XC conditions.
Regardless, this line-up will make the hike to NXN worth it this year!
Another factor that shouldn't be ignored is the mindset of being a team player. When your goal is to earn the least amount of points for your team, you're less likely to "blow up" during the race.
I honestly don’t know how anyone could predict anyone other than Sadie Englehart. How could anyone predict anyone else other than her? She obviously just had a bad race at NXN last year.
Any of the top 4 can win NXN:
Engelhardt, Ritzenhein, Leachman, and Hedengren.
At Woodbridge 2023, the race was close between Hedengren, Leachman, and Engelhardt
Frankly, Englehardt couldn’t run a stride with Hedegren or Leachman last year at Woodbridge. Those two were on a different level. Sadie tried to close but was never in the race. Perhaps she’ll be stronger and faster this year but you can watch the race here. Leachman is only contested late by Hedegren. I don’t think Sadie could win NXN as XC is not her cup of tea.
🏃♀️🚀 History-Making Day at the Bob Day Sweepsstakes Race: National Records Shattered at the 2023 Woodbridge Classic Cross Country meet!On September 16th, ...
does anyone know if elin latta is actually going to Vista? it looks like Jorde 100% is because it says mvhs 26' in her Instagram bio but will the lattas be there as well?
does anyone know if elin latta is actually going to Vista? it looks like Jorde 100% is because it says mvhs 26' in her Instagram bio but will the lattas be there as well?
Embarassment of riches. Everyone else can battle for the #2 spot.
Indeed. That 45 minute commute from Elizabeth to Highlands Ranch better work out is all I say...
Most of the former Newbury team members lived far away
Mount Vista will be the new Newbury Park, gaining everyone's attention simply because people love winners, regardless of what it takes to reach the top. Congrats MV, you've ruined high school XC. Champion teams will be privileged schools made up of privileged kids whose parents are able to move them to which ever school has the trendiest team.
They also have always been home schooled and are fairly religious from my understanding. so if they were going to attend a school in that area I would have thought it would be Valor Christian. but who knows.
They also have always been home schooled and are fairly religious from my understanding. so if they were going to attend a school in that area I would have thought it would be Valor Christian. but who knows.
That explains why we do not see them showing up at the other Über-coach schools, Coronado or Niwot, not church-y enough (though, it is COS, those Jesus people are thick there).
Should be fun though as I remember there being 5-6 'Latta's' running for Parker Panthers a few years ago. Maybe some one else on here with more kid club knowledge may validate this. Regardless, maybe MVHS is catching a break... assuming AAHS and Niwot do not reload.
There will be two at-large teams from the Southwest and possibly two from California. If not two from California, then one from California and one from the Midwest