Hedengren had only TWO great races last year, and she lost once. Touhy in her junior year had EIGHT great races, and she never lost. Some of you posters are letting recency bias confuse your thought process.
Nobody said Hedengren was the best XC runner ever. Melody Fairchild was the best HS cross country runner. Hedengren was a better overall high school runner when track is included. Some of you posters are letting recency bias confuse your thought process.
I think it’s too close to call between the top 3, which will make it a super exciting race considering they all like to take it out hard which could backfire and allow the good runners outside the top 3 to have a chance. I did do some quick A-Net research on how many times each favorite has raced this season as in my experience I’ve seen coaches who rest their athletes/limit duel/useless invites to be ready for a full postseason to December, and then top girls who run as hard as they can including sub 17s in 3 team races on a Wednesday winning by over minute as a couple athletes here have done. We’ll see how that pays off!
Lily A- 7 Blair B-8 Averi - 7 Dudek- 11 Summer- 8 Jaelyn- 12 (although 8 were less than 3 miles?)
In XC, less tends to be more. It’s why a lot of the CA kids tend to underperform. I would also expect less from the kids that ran Brooks races.
Hedengren had only TWO great races last year, and she lost once. Touhy in her junior year had EIGHT great races, and she never lost. Some of you posters are letting recency bias confuse your thought process.
not to make this thread about her but Tuohy's knee acted up after 4 great races as a Junior and the rest were good but not great though she never lost. The 16:21 at Holmdel would take someone like Jane at her best to match.
Jane's record setting run in Portland in very bad conditions was probably comparable to that even if the speed rating does not say it.
I think it’s too close to call between the top 3, which will make it a super exciting race considering they all like to take it out hard which could backfire and allow the good runners outside the top 3 to have a chance.
Interesting stat - In the last 2 races that were muddy and the girls went second after the boys race (2019 and 2023), only ONE girl in both races combined broke 17:15, which was Addy Ritzenhein in 2023 when she ran 17:10.
Trying to convince a top girl to run 17:10 or 17:20 pace when she is used to running sub 16:30 pace isn't easy. That's why so many top girls run out of gas in muddy races. They refuse to significantly reduce their pace.
that is a good point - and the first 2000 m is pretty flat and net downhill so it feels pretty easy. Leachman was on record pace through 2000 but by 3000 (and after 2 hills) she was clearly tiring
ok genius, from what region is Ritzenhein? The one with 2 champs and a 2/3 in the last 3 years? But of course you are right. She has no chance. Just like in 2023.
Ok OAC genius. Based on the rankings, in the top 10 there’s only one SW girl- Alder at #10 . Ritzenhein is ranked 12th. Explain why there is any chance either of them will win NXN. Sorry. Doesnt stack up
Well we can finally put this constant ranting and raving discussion about the 12th ranked girl to bed. Not only was she not a contender for podium she didn’t even come in 12th, coming in a distant 32nd! We can all move on now and talk about the best in the nation:Dudek, Bartlett and Williams. Congratulations to to the girls who were expected to podium and delivered
I fully admit that I am biased as a California native but I think Jaelyn Williams takes this in a surprise victory. She might not have the same level of national clout as some of these other girls but she's an absolute dog. She knows how to win.
How do you feel knowing that you lowkey were right -- She didn't win, but getting third in both of those races was definitely a shock to so many that weren't Californians. She is an absolute dog and now everyone knows :)
The only hesitation on Wilson is the muddy conditions. my outside observation is that she really benefits from the super shoes, and hard footing courses. so id be curious to see how she manages the Portland
So, beware of Addy Ritz. Won two years ago in a very controlled, come-from-behind win then finished 5th last year in the swamp, less than two secs from 2nd. As veteran an NXNer as you can get. Maybe not the most fit runner in the field but possibly the smartest for this course.
How did the “smart” race strategy work for you? 😂😅
So, beware of Addy Ritz. Won two years ago in a very controlled, come-from-behind win then finished 5th last year in the swamp, less than two secs from 2nd. As veteran an NXNer as you can get. Maybe not the most fit runner in the field but possibly the smartest for this course.
How did the “smart” race strategy work for you? 😂😅
Addy was not feeling well on NXN race day.
She lead her Niwot team to a close 2nd place finish with a 32nd individual overall placing.
Then decided to call it a season, declining her Golden Ticket to Brooks the following weekend.
Again, not the most fit runner in the field even when fully healthy, but intelligent enough to know how to navigate Glendoveer's mud and hills so as not to blow up and ruin her team's chances for a podium finish.
Unlike some, who are not smart enough or motivated enough to look beneath the surface to learn the details and understand what really worked for their favorite runners on race day. 😡😡
How did the “smart” race strategy work for you? 😂😅
Addy was not feeling well on NXN race day.
She lead her Niwot team to a close 2nd place finish with a 32nd individual overall placing.
Then decided to call it a season, declining her Golden Ticket to Brooks the following weekend.
Again, not the most fit runner in the field even when fully healthy, but intelligent enough to know how to navigate Glendoveer's mud and hills so as not to blow up and ruin her team's chances for a podium finish.
Unlike some, who are not smart enough or motivated enough to look beneath the surface to learn the details and understand what really worked for their favorite runners on race day. 😡😡
Your last sentence makes no sense. But just to add to this topic, she is among many many other smart runners who know how to navigate the course. The 31 before her and much of the field who made it to nationals. Deciding to miss Brooks just shows that she is not mentally strong or confident enough at this point to handle pressure like others. Couldn’t handle the risk of getting her butt kicked again.
She lead her Niwot team to a close 2nd place finish with a 32nd individual overall placing.
Then decided to call it a season, declining her Golden Ticket to Brooks the following weekend.
Again, not the most fit runner in the field even when fully healthy, but intelligent enough to know how to navigate Glendoveer's mud and hills so as not to blow up and ruin her team's chances for a podium finish.
Unlike some, who are not smart enough or motivated enough to look beneath the surface to learn the details and understand what really worked for their favorite runners on race day. 😡😡
Deciding to miss Brooks just shows that she is not mentally strong or confident enough
What part of "Addy Ritzenhein got sick" are you not capable of understanding?
She lead her Niwot team to a close 2nd place finish with a 32nd individual overall placing.
Then decided to call it a season, declining her Golden Ticket to Brooks the following weekend.
Again, not the most fit runner in the field even when fully healthy, but intelligent enough to know how to navigate Glendoveer's mud and hills so as not to blow up and ruin her team's chances for a podium finish.
Unlike some, who are not smart enough or motivated enough to look beneath the surface to learn the details and understand what really worked for their favorite runners on race day. 😡😡
Your last sentence makes no sense. But just to add to this topic, she is among many many other smart runners who know how to navigate the course. The 31 before her and much of the field who made it to nationals. Deciding to miss Brooks just shows that she is not mentally strong or confident enough at this point to handle pressure like others. Couldn’t handle the risk of getting her butt kicked again.
It sounds like you have a bone to pick with Addy. You should challenge her to a fight after school by the bike racks.