Last year, Graham Blanks accomplished something no other 21-year-old American man had done in 20 years - win an NCAA xc title before their 22nd birthday. Can he repeat and join the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Gerry Lindgren as repeat American champs?

Last year, nine Kenyan men and a record seven Kenyan women earned All-American honors at the NCAA XC champs. The total could be even higher at this year's meet. We explain the reason behind the trend and wonder if there should be an age limit. Is it fair to have a 28-year-old freshman join the team who has a PR faster than the American record?

The Big 12 showdown between the top two teams in the country lived up to the hype while Wisconsin's Bob Liking became the fourth man to win four Big 10 XC titles.

Our Jonathan Gault has the inside scoop on the NCAA XC action. Does Villanova have a potential NCAA champion you've never heard of? What's up with the top American returner who didn't race this weekend? How do you get a Kenyan eligible when they show up at the end of September? All hail the Big 12 as the BYU and Iowa State men impressed and could the OK State men be even better than 2023? Plus Stanford was resurgent.

Can the NAU women overcome last year's disappointment and send coach Mike Smith out as a champion in his final year? Plus a loaded BYU team looks to put a bad day in '23 behind them, and does NC State have any chance at a four-peat?

Oregon finished in the top 10 a year ago under Shalane Flanagan and Jerry Schumacher and will look to improve in '24. Plus meet the new NCAA superstar who earned bronze in the U20 race at World XC and is the sister of a former WR holder. And how about some love for Lipscomb, who finished 11th last year with no transfers and no foreigners? *MB: How about some love for Lipscomb and coach Nick Polk? They were 11th at NCAAs with no transfers and no foreigners.

Oklahoma State was historically great in 2023, can they repeat in 2024? How will NAU fare in Mike Smith's final year as coach? Is this Arkansas' best team since the glory years? Plus BYU is super deep  thanks in part to an 8th-year senior. *MB: Ok State's Dave Smith: "There are five teams that can potentially win...but I wouldn’t say we’re a 50% chance to win."

It's time to get back into cross country mode. With young American stars Graham Blanks and Parker Wolfe returning to the NCAA, the 2024 XC season should be a great one.

Smith won five NCAA XC titles from 2017-22 but will leave the school at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

• Mike Smith Considering Offer to Be a Nike Coach in 2025 - Update it’s a done deal.
• The Mike Smith debacle shows everyone is for sale. Nike bought Citius, Mike Smith, etc. The Brojos would sell out too.
• Is Ed Eyestone next?
• What will Adidas think about letting a Nike coach work with Nico Young
• Ben Thomas is so disrespected

Seb Coe said WA is exploring a joint proposal to have cross country and cyclocross share a course at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France. Plus Coe shares his thoughts on Grand Slam Track.

Carlson, previously the distance coach at Tennessee, will replace the legendary Mark Wetmore, whose contract was not renewed this summer after 29 years in charge in Boulder. *MB Sean Carlson to Colorado Official.

LetsRun contributor Tim O’Hearn visited World XC in Serbia and wrote a gonzo piece on his experience watching the race without access to the finishline in a city known for its fierce history and Brutalist architecture.

We have a simple way to make World XC very important again - not just for those battling for the medals. Make it the primary way to qualify for the Olympics and Worlds in the 10,000.

On a day with 80+ degree temps, the Kenyan women put on a show. They were so good their 28:46 WR holder didn't even score. Weini Kelati was top US woman in 15th with Anthony Rotich top US man in 22nd.

The top athletes and your intrepid correspondent experimented with methods for hurdling the hay bales in Belgrade. Plus hear how Anthony Rotich ran 27:08 while running less than 70 miles per week.

The Kenyan Team is AMAZINGLY good. We just aren't sure which Kenyan is the favorite for gold. Is it the defending champ Beatrice Chebet who ran 14:05 last year or is it Kenyan champ Agnes Ngetich who just ran a 28:46 10k world record in January?

Kelati ran 66:25 at the Houston Half and 30:33 at The TEN and is looking to become the first US woman to finish in the top 10 at World XC since Shalane Flanagan in 2011. *MB: An American woman hasn't finished in the top 10 at World XC in 13 years, will Weini Kelati end that streak in 2024?

The Niwot (Colo.) sophomore won NXN in December and was surprised with the Gatorade award by Katelyn Tuohy on Tuesday. *MB: Addy Ritzenhein talks to LetsRun.com.