*Daniel Hruska (left) won the first NPOTW poll of the season; Drew Griffith (right) is one of the five nominees for this week's National Performer of the Week
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Cherry Creek (CO) senior Daniel Hruska is one of the top returners in Colorado this fall, and he played the part in his 2023 debut.
Last week, Hruska opened up his fourth and final high school campaign with a blistering 14:49.00 for 5K, winning the Steve Lohman Invitational in a new course record. The previous record of 15:22 belonged to U.S. Marathoner Scott Fauble, which he set back in 2009 while attending Wheat Ridge (CO).
Last week, Hruska received the most votes out of the five athletes up for the honor, earning 33-percent. With that, he became the first 2023 National Boys Performer of the Week.
It's time to vote for this week's NPOTW, with five new superb boys up for the honor. The poll will end on Friday and winners will be announced next Monday.
Here are the nominations for the National Boys Performer of the Week Poll:
Sam Scott, Minneapolis Southwest (MN): As he has for the majority of his high school career, one of Minnesota's top returners dominated in his season debut, winning the St. Olaf High School Showcase in 15:16.50. For Scott, this was his fastest season-opener in his Laker career.
Ryan Pajak, Ringgold (PA): The Pennsylvania senior made his presence known over the weekend at the Mingo Scrimmage in Monongahela, PA. Pajak ran the fastest time in the state, clocking 15:00.80, to win by just under 35 seconds. The Ram is also the top returner from 2022 in Pennsylvania's AA Class.
Andrew Hauser, Rock Bridge (MO): The senior made the most of his business trip to Memphis, TN, outlasting the loaded field to earn his first win of the year in his season debut. Hauser covered the course at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in 15:16.95, the second fastest time ever seen in its history. Additionally, Hauser led Rock Bridge to the team title, winning by nearly 90 points.
Drew Griffith, Butler (PA): The senior was already the only person to break 15:30 at Roadman Park, but now he's done it a second time, winning the 51st Marty Uher Vulcans Invitational in 15:25.60. Griffith won by an astounding 1:20, and also had the highest speed rating of any athlete in the country over the weekend, earning a 197.
Ethan Edgeworth, Cold Springs (AL): The 13-time Alabama state champ made a statement over the weekend, as the junior ran a nation-leading 14:45.24 to win by 54 seconds. This was both a course record and a 19-second PR for Edgeworth, who is the three-time defending AHSAA 1A-2A state champion on the grass.
NPOTW Week 1:
