I do feel like team Born-in-Oregon would do pretty well in a "historical track meet" because we have Rupp (distance & marathon), Ryan Crouser (shot), Mac Wilkins (discus), Prefontaine (distance), Dick Fosbury (HJ), Ryan Bailey (sprints), and Dan O'Brien & Ashton Eaton (multis). I would feel good going to a meet with those guys as my "team" for sure.
I guess big states like California and Texas could do better, but for a small state, to have these guys as locals is pretty special.
Its interesting at first glance, because I figured: How could any state even come close to competing with the NY girls. But the reality is that it's just two powerhouse programs in NY that consistently produce top 3 in the nation teams. (Insane statement if you really think about it, but true). When it comes to individuals (although 2 of those girls are from Saratoga) CA does make it very very interesting. Its incredibly close although I would take NY on any course that isn't mostly flat.
As a side note: While looking at this, I was looking up times and surprised to see Cain wasn't a stand out XC runner. Granted she came in second at nxn it was in 19:21 and her Bowdin times aren't even close to cuffe or tuohy. With her track times, i figured she would have won multiple xc championships.
Slag was pretty historically weak at XC, never making NXN and only running a PB of 15:21.
I would put Landon Heemeyer up on the list as well. Maybe not as big of a resume in terms of number of accomplishments, but considering that he got 9th at a very stacked footlocker field, and sports the fastest PR (14:38) in Idaho in a very long time (maybe all time), he could certainly fit in. (He also ran a solo 9:03 for his 3200 opener)
Heemeyer, Athay, and Roberts on the women’s side could all make a strong claim for all Idaho teams with strong senior XC seasons.
Pretty sure CA runs away with this. German, Nico Young, Jeff Nelson, Leo Young, Lex Young, Colin Sahlman, Aaron Sahlman. You can make a real argument that a national XC champ with 3:56/8:33 PRs wouldn't be top 5
This year's Newbury Park could probably beat almost every other state's all-time top 5.