"when he ought to be racing the real championship race elsewhere."
Those who say this sport isn't a team sport probably were on teams that were just a collection of individuals - those teams don't tend to do very well at the highest levels. Those who are teams, train together, push each other, and become competitive friends and rivals all in one, they tend to win more often. I've seen less talented individuals come together as a team and beat the other teams that seemed to run separately, but as pieces were more talented (usually because one team had 3 really good runners, an okay 4th, and a lead balloon for a 5th runner - while the other had a 4-7 who could close the door strongly on any given race day).
But back to the choice for Maton. He's one of the best in the nation. He has a very good team. But the perception is (and perhaps incorrectly) is that FL is for individual champions (as the race IS designed that way), while NXN is the team (er club) championship, because it's promotion is all geared toward that. I believe last year FL offered up spots to some of the highest NXN finishers - a very smart move. But for the good of our sport, lets combine post season meets and work toward a race that can crown both and individual and team/club national champion. WHAT BETTER WAY FOR OUR SPORT TO STAND OUT AMONG ALL OTHER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS!!!
This might make far to much sense, and who would really want distance running to become more attractive to competitive teens. I mean, in a day and age when US distance running is showing competitiveness against the world, kids are flocking (especially males) to play soccer in an era when the USMNT is consistently being overrated and getting their ass kicked in the World Cup (go look at the record since 1990 - abysmal).