National Boys Performer of the Week (10/16 - 10/22)


* Nolan McGinn (left) won the eighth NPOTW poll; Emmanuel Perez (right) is one of five nominees for the Week 9 edition of National Performer of the Week

Photo Credit: MileSplit

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Nolan McGinn's perfect senior season keeps on getting better after his latest accomplishment, a National Performer of the Week win. 

Last week, McGinn won big at the Chittenango Bears Twilight Invitational in 15:46.7, earning a 53-second victory and staying undefeated on the year.

Not only did he pick up the individual win in dominant fashion, but he also set a new course record -- one that hadn't been touched since 2016. 

His strong performance was more than enough to pick up over half of the votes, 52-percent to be exact. He's the eighth boy to be crowned NPOTW in 2023. 

A big congratulations goes out to McGinn for joining the coveted list and another round of applause for the other nominees from last week's voting.

Here are this week's five stellar nominees for the National Performer of the Week.

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VOTE: National Boy's Performer Of The Week (10/16 - 10/22)

MileSplit (Before Pick)


Emmanuel Perez, Cathedral (CA) The Valley Loop, Reservoir Hill and Poop Out Hill weren't issues for Perez, as he won the D3/D4/D5 Sweepstakes Yellow race at the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational over the weekend. Perez, who has been on a tear this fall, continued to build momentum with a PR on the course and a dominant wire-to-wire win. This is Perez's second win of the year and his fourth consecutive top-three finish. Stopping the clock at 14:38.0, the top runner in CIF's Division 4 picked up his first-ever Mt. SAC win.

Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (NE): He ended his state season on the highest note possible, winning the NSAA 1A state title in 15:26.6. His performance last Friday helped him successfully defend his 2022 title and gave him his seventh win of the season and his eighth top-two finish. As a junior, Gonzalez now sits fifth all-time at the Kearney Country Club, behind Nebraska legends Carson Noecker, Seth Hirsch and Gabe Hinrichs. Sporting a season best of 15:06, Gonzalez has his sights set on NXR Heartland in Sioux Falls next month.

Landon Heemeyer, Rocky Mountain (ID) While preparing to defend his state title this weekend, the Brigham Young commit cruised to a district title, winning in 15:20.8 by just under 10 seconds. Heemeyer also led Rocky Mountain to another district title, as he and his teammates are looking to go back-to-back-to-back in the state's largest classification. For Heemeyer, this was his fourth straight top-five finish and he should have his eyes set on NXR and Foot Locker in the coming weeks.

Jimmy Wischusen, Union Catholic (NJ) In just his third race this season, the future Virginia Cavalier has been both dominant and consistent. Over the weekend, Wischusen trekked the uncommon 5.15k course in 15:12.00, which would have converted well into the 14s for a traditional 5K. It's his second win of the year and his third race finishing runner-up or better. In his other two races, Wischusen has run 15:15 and 15:12, proving that he's in terrific form and ready to rock wherever he races next. 

Brett Ephraim, San Clemente (CA) The second of two Mt. SAC athletes on this list, Ephraim picked up his second win of the year, winning the DI/DII Sweepstakes race by a second over Maximo Zavaleta. The San Clemente senior and future Colorado State Ram ran 14:50, putting him under 15:00 for the first time in his high school career. While picking up the individual title, he also helped the Tritons to a second-place finish behind Great Oak. Ephraim still has plenty of racing left this season, with both state and another potential NXN berth in the near future.


NPOTW's Previous Winners:

    Week 1: Daniel Hruska, Cherry Creek (CO)

    Week 2: Ethan Edgeworth, Cold Springs (AL)

    Week 3: Bazil Mathes, Monticello (VA)

    Week 4: Will Conway, Floyd Central (IN)

    Week 5: Clay Shively, Trinity Academy (KS)

    Week 6: Cameron Todd, Brebeuf Jesuit (IN)

    Week 7: Noah Valyo, Athens Drive (NC)

    Week 8: Nolan McGinn, Fayetteville-Manliius (NY)