It’s fascinating how the history of Nike Cross Nationals has evolved in terms of comparing the girls’ and boys’ championships.  With the girls, you had a program in Fayetteville-Manlius which has won six titles in a row -- not to mention another in the same state, Saratoga Springs, which has claimed three consecutive runner-up finishes.  For the boys, however, there has not only never been a repeat champion, but no club has won two titles overall in the 8-year history of the event.  Eight different NXN boys’ championships, eight different winners.

If you see Nick Ryan going out hard Saturday during the Nike Cross Nationals Boys Championship race at Portland Meadows, perhaps grabbing a sizable lead in the first mile, you best not let him go this time.

MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

They are questions you’ve posed and heard regarding the Nike Cross Nationals girls’ team title every year since 2007.  Why?  Well, because until the answers change, what other questions are there to ask?  Can the Fayetteville-Manlius (Manlius, N.Y.) girls (known here as Manlius XC) win again?  And if not, who can beat them? (Photo by Pat Bendzick)

MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

 The Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled Tuesday that Ohio athletes may not accept travel, hotel and meal expenditures from out-of-season competitions if those athletes wish to maintain their amateur status.(via news.cincinnati.com)

Amazing 9 year old and double indoor AAU National Champion Noah Castro of Hurricane, West Virginia easily won the Foot Locker South Region 3000m boys 10 and under race  with a blazing fast time of 10:59 for a 5:54 mile pace. The future of West Virginia and U.S. distance running is looking very good. Watch out world, here comes Noah! No ark needed this time.  

If you’ve watched US#1 Sarah Baxter destroy hallowed course records of Amber Trotter at Mt. SAC and Julia Stamps at Woodward Park during this epic 2012 fall campaign, you might have said, “Wow, she looks like she could be running with the boys.” (File photo by Pat Bendzick)

MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

Cheserek wins 2nd straight title! Rocha back to FL Nats also. McGorty and Chase light up FL South! Manlius, CBA and Pennsbury win. Leingang, Rohrer win Midwest, KY teams, dominate Nike SE. (Photo by Kane Baker)

In a few short years, Catarina Rocha has learned how much the Foot Locker cross country races have meant to her family.

Nearly two miles in, the Foot Locker Midwest boys’ championship race Saturday in Kenosha was looking an awful lot like the girls’ affair that had preceded it.  No, Michigan’s Nick Raymond isn’t a sophomore, like girls’ champion Anna Rohrer, and this wasn’t his first FL MW (he was 33rd last year). (Photo by Kane Baker)

If Edward Cheserek were an automobile, the odds are pretty good that he would be a fiery red convertible. (Photo by Don Rich)

One year ago, Anna Rohrer (left) was recovering from a broken foot after a freshman season that included a 19:17 in her only race. Frosh Werner (in white) finished 2nd. (Photo by Kane Baker)

The south's top runners will head to McAlpine Greenway Park in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Foot Locker South Cross Country Championships. The top ten boys and top ten girls in the seeded race will advance to Foot Locker Nationals December 8th in San Diego, California.

The Foot Locker Midwest boys’ championship race can’t quite match the front-end, national championship-level firepower of the girls’ race.  Still, there’s a big handful of 2011 Finals returnees, aspiring national championship doublers and talented state champions that will be present Saturday. 

HOLMDEL — On the surface, the Christian Brothers Academy cross country team’s state-record 18th NJSIAA Meet of Champions win on Wednesday afternoon looked quite ordinary. (via www.app.com)

It’s an easy one – the clash of the “Big Four” (see analysis below) Michigan stars Erin Finn and Julia Bos, and Indiana standouts Anna Rohrer, and Ashley Erba should be the most exciting individual war for any of the Foot Locker or NXN regional races this season and there are several reasons why...

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings

MileSplit NY - It's national season for the folks of the Northeast.  Perspectives have changed from trying to beat out the best of the state, to competing with the best of the best. Teams and athletes have two options for those who wish to extend their season.  To oversimplify, Nike Cross Regionals are for teams looking to continue, and Foot Locker Regional is for the individual.  There is some slight variation in these perspectives, but more on that later. Because of scheduling, it is either one or the other.  Both events have some of NY's top talent, and our full Foot Locker preview will be out on Friday.

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

Kithuka over Sambu and Lalang, Seina outkicks D'Agostino and Hasay! OK State men and Oregon women win titles! (Photo by Tim O'Dowd)

Bernie Montoya, Elise Cranny take NXNSW wins! Domanic, Jochen take NXNS wins! Southlake Carroll dominated team titles at NXNS! (Photo of Montoya winning by Margot Kelly)

2012 NCAA Cross Country Championships Live Broadcast Schedule November 17, 2012 Stayed tuned to this page for the schedule of live internet streaming coverage of the 2012 NCAA Cross Country Championships for Divisions 1, 2 and 3. All times are in Eastern Time.  NCAA Division 1 Championships - Meet Site | Flotrack Coverage | LIVE Updates Flotrack Live Pre-Race Show --> Friday at 2:00pm ET  |  Saturday at 10:30am ET Louisville, Kentucky - E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park 12:00pm - Women's Race 1:15pm   - Men's Race WATCH LIVE NCAA Division 2 Championships - Meet Site Joplin, Missouri - Missouri Southern State... (via FloTrack)

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings

Two of the greatest all time West Virginia cross country and track and field athletes have decided on their post season races. Maggie Drazba of St. Marys has chosen Foot Locker and Jacob Burcham of Cabell Midland has selected Nike.

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings

Who will be the stars of tomorrow in track and field? Nobody knows for certain, but there’s a good chance that many of those future Olympians will be competing at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships at Hayward Field. Eugene was awarded the bid to host the meet one year ago, thus marking the first time the biennial event will be held in the U.S. The six-day competition is a showcase for the world’s best track and field athletes under the age of 20. An estimated 2,000 athletes from nearly 180 countries are expected to participate. On Tuesday, a six-member IAAF delegation finished its first formal visit to Eugene. They met with key officials from the Local Organizing Committee and inspected all of the competition venues and accommodations for athletes and officials. “We’ve had a great time looking around Eugene because it’s such an iconic location for our sport,” said IAAF Council member Abby Hoffman, a four-time Olympian from Canada. “We’re delighted that Eugene put its candidacy forward to bid for the world juniors. (via www.registerguard.com)

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

Enter for link to video featuring the USA 15th ranked Grosse Point South (MI) girls XC team. (photo from detroitnews.com)

For brothers Futsum Zienasellassie and Bahlbi Gebreyohanns, running at Northern Arizona University as part of the cross country and track and field teams is part of their American dream, being lived out in the mountains of Flagstaff, a far cry—both in distance and in climate—from their home country of Eritrea. (via www.nauathletics.com)

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

TERRE HAUTE – Nike Cross National regional titles are often won well beyond the leaders and deep in the packs following.  On a day that was dry and mild, but with ferocious 25-30 mph winds, the 2012 NXN Midwest Championships – for the most part – were no exception.  (Photo by Ken Moreland)

Kroy (York IL) get their 9th straight NXN berth, Carmel girls win 2nd straight at NXN MW! Ashley Erba, Alex Riba get individual wins! (Photo by Ken Moreland)

Steve Underwood previews the action from the Midwest regional in the Nike Cross series! Kroy (York IL) could qualify for their 9th National! (2011 File Photo by Paul Everett)

Summer Olympians and track stars Lolo Jones and Tianna Madison raced in their very first bobsled competition today.

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings

Her pelvis was fractured in three different places and her left arm also suffered multiple fractures. Doctors have estimated a timetable of at least three months before she can walk normally again.  Thanks to her background in running, Anne Dutton considers herself lucky.

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings

Edward Cheserek has decided to defend his Foot Locker Natioal XC Championship. The lightly raced phenom announced his choice of post season races.

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

  MileSplit’s National Cross Country Rankings

Erin Finn dominated in MI! Montoya rips up state in AZ! Finn and Bos bring it in MI! Neale flies in WA! Hauger gets record 4th title in MN! (Photo by Pat Davey, runmichigan.com)

Assumption Head Coach Barry Haworth Singing!!! Enough Said!!!

MileSplit's National Cross Country Rankings