Official 2018 NXN Discussion Thread

Course record for NXN by Liam Anderson 14:57????

Oosting was 12th.

https://live.recordtiming.com/meets/1802/xc-events/53959

Didn't get that prediction right but I was closest on the victory margin for Tuohy. Chmiel improved a nice 28 seconds over her time from last year.

Speaking of which, has anyone ever had a better 4 years at NXN?

FR - 4th

SO - 5th

JR - 2nd

SR - 2nd

I counted two times that I saw sprout tripped up and almost go down. Probably zapped a bit of energy out of his legs. Don't think he would have won but maybe could have held on to beat hocker

Where are all the people crying Texas deserved an at-large? Finished 20th and 22nd in team scores.

kmaclam wrote:

Deadstream wrote:

Disagree.

Dead heat between them and FM.

So a toss up? Not a betting man, but I'd put my $ on the loaded, course record breaking, defending champs.

That potential match-up ended early and unfortunately.

Probably still goes to LV without the fall, though.

Great run by Great Oak, missing two guys. They had a 16 spread.

Not iowa kid wrote:

Oosting was 12th.

https://live.recordtiming.com/meets/1802/xc-events/53959

Didn't get that prediction right but I was closest on the victory margin for Tuohy. Chmiel improved a nice 28 seconds over her time from last year.

Speaking of which, has anyone ever had a better 4 years at NXN?

FR - 4th

SO - 5th

JR - 2nd

SR - 2nd

I would say that Sarah Baxter's 1st-1st-1st-3rd was pretty good too.

Interesting that Littleton had the lowest average at 15:38--maybe lowest ever at NXN? Shows how much faster the course ran this year.

rojo wrote:

I've been watching off and on while trying to entertain an 11 month old. A few questions.

1) Has everyone else stream been really horrible?

2) Do the teams really not know the score until they announce it on stage? Or do the coaches figure it out first and tell them? Seems kind of cruel.

3) Why do they start the race 1:30 apart? I complain about every race in America starting too close together, but the one race I want to be over quickly (HS nationals), is taking up most of the day.

1. For me, the girls' race video was breaking up in a few shots from a moving vehicle alongside. Not a huge issue. No problem with the boys' race, though.

2. Kind of cruel? It's a SHORT wait, all things considered, from the end of the race to the podium announcement. Officials have to make sure the numbers make sense. Better to take time double-checking than to REALLY be cruel announcing the wrong winner/order of finish, or the wrong top three. After the boys' trophies were handed out, Chris Derrick did say that he knew the results but Marc Hunter, Purcellville co-coach (Loudoun Valley), with whom he had been chatting, still didn't know. That's not cruel, that's suspenseful, and really not stretched out over a long period of time.

So the meet officials (and broadcasters in the know) keep a tight lid on the results until they call the top three teams up on the stage. Then they announce third. When they announce second, we know who won - and for the second year in a row Purcellville kids started celebrating the win, with joy and probably relief. (This time, Sam Affolder was bent over at the back of the podium, assisted by coach Joan Hunter. Not able to join his teammates in the immediate celebrating because he was ill, I guess.)

3. I'd say 1:30 apart worked well, for me. After the first race (girls first this year), there has to be time for immediate post-race team interviews, which are great to watch. Then comes the podium time, when the top three individuals are called up and interviewed, one at a time. Then it's the top three teams...and the announcement of third place...and the announcement of second place...and first place. Throw in some more interviews with teams and individuals waiting to run, and coaches, too, and time has flown past.

1:30 also gives course officials a chance to tidy up the course, if necessary. Could be necessary, depending on how the crowd mauls the ropes and poles, or if there are spots on the course that need minor maintenance (not that any XC course gets this treatment). To prep all timing gear for the next race. To allow broadcasters & technicians a breather, or to take a pee break, if necessary. To clear all kids and fans out of the finish line area. To give all fans enough time to get in position for the next race. To get all competitors in the second race prepped for the start. I don't think it's too long.

rojo wrote:

I've been watching off and on while trying to entertain an 11 month old. A few questions.

1) Has everyone else stream been really horrible?

https://twitter.com/letsrundotcom/status/1068933327816716288

2) Do the teams really not know the score until they announce it on stage? Or do the coaches figure it out first and tell them? Seems kind of cruel.

3) Why do they start the race 1:30 apart? I complain about every race in America starting too close together, but the one race I want to be over quickly (HS nationals), is taking up most of the day.

1) Stream was cutting in a out a little for me, but it didn't ever say it couldn't load.

2) Teams do NOT know the score until the announcers announce it (unless they sneak a peak at the scorecard printed off for the announcers)

3) To allow time for both the post-race awards ceremony (after the scores have been confirmed) and introductions for all of the teams and individuals in the next race. Takes about half an hour to confirm scores, and about half an hour for introductions, which leaves 20-30 minutes in between for announcing the scores and interviewing the teams.

Trashman wrote:

Manilus Girls don't even podium!!!

And same with the boys. Except not even one spot away from the podium.

....and I didnt think the broadcast lagged at all during those 90 minutes. Overall, great coverage. WAY better than most professional road races including Marathon Majors. Again, just wait till the coverage tomorrow for USATF Championship Marathon at CIM and compare. We'll be crying out for Derrick, Rodriquez and company.

Deadstream wrote:

That potential match-up ended early and unfortunately.

Probably still goes to LV without the fall, though.

No probably about it. FM's fallen guy could have won the race and LV still beats them handily.

YMMV wrote:

Not iowa kid wrote:

Speaking of which, has anyone ever had a better 4 years at NXN?

FR - 4th

SO - 5th

JR - 2nd

SR - 2nd

I would say that Sarah Baxter's 1st-1st-1st-3rd was pretty good too.

Baxter didn't run at nationals as a freshman.

rojo wrote:

So Anderson wins but man I'm impressed by Sprout. I was looking at his bio. Th ekid ran 8:49 as a sophomore? Wow.

Cole Sprout, junior

School: Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)

Best speed rating: 196.6 (CO state meet)

PRs: 4:12/8:49

Yeah who cares about the guy who just played everyone and took the easy win at the end, let’s talk about track times from the past!

It was mostly because Flower Mound has 2 studs up front....But it never seems they both have good races...One has a good race and the other is a bit back....Like today...

I hate to say it, because I've always loved FL, but I think this year will be remembered as the year NXN clearly established itself as the HS national championship race. Strong performances for both boys and girls.

DC Wonk wrote:

I hate to say it, because I've always loved FL, but I think this year will be remembered as the year NXN clearly established itself as the HS national championship race. Strong performances for both boys and girls.

I feel the exact same way. But only this year. I think previous years, FL managed to cling to it.

Meylan has this course as probably the fastest in NxN history. Anderson's 14:57 "only" netted a 201 speed rating.