The Top 12 Boys To Watch At the NXR Heartland Region

5. Matthew Meinke, Neenah (WI)
Having run sub-16 minutes in the 5K all season and a season best of just a hare over 15 minutes, Meinke is sure to be in the top group for this NXN qualifying race.

At his first race of the season, Meinke dropped a 15:12, which was over a 30-second PR from last season and then he continued to run similar fast times and at Fond Du Lac Invitational, he ran his season best, which was the second fastest time in the region.

As of late, at his section and state meet, he has been running slightly slower times of 15:57 and 15:46 in which he took first and fourth, respectively. But competition breeds improvement, and if Meinke can return to his mid-season form in time for the race, don't be surprised if he moves up.