* Zariel Macchia (1181) added another state title to her resume over the weekend
Photo Credit: Lucas Sharron/MileSplit New York
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A pair of NXR Regionals the New York State Championships took the spotlight over the weekend, making way for a slew of high caliber performances.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, November 21, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing girls from last weekend.
This Week's Nominees:
Mallory Weller, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (Ind.): The dream season lived another week for the Indiana junior, as Weller notched a PB en route to her first Nike Cross Nationals Berth. Out in Terre Haute, Indiana on the historic LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, Weller finished fourth 17:10.32, 18 seconds back of the leader. The junior led her team to a fourth-place finish, putting them in contention for one of the four coveted at-large bids that are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Regardless, the 10th fastest runner in Indiana history is heading to Portland.
Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (N.Y.): After a runner-up finish a year ago, the BYU commit got back to the top of the NYSPHSAA, claiming her second 1A cross country title, this time in 17:24.7, a season-best by over 20 seconds. Macchia's attention is now set on the New York Federation Championships where she is the defending champion. Macchia is looking to qualify for both NXN and Foot Locker Nationals over the next two weeks, and is the defending champion at both qualifiers.
Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa (Mich.): Her final season on the grass has been nothing short of amazing, as Sachs is heading back to NXN after missing it in 2023. Sachs, who is coming off of a tremendous outdoor season, has kept her foot on the gas over the last few months, tallying eight consecutive wins to open up the season, followed by a runner-up finish at the MHSAA LP Finals, and a third-place finish at the NXR Midwest Regional over the weekend.
Brooke Chapman, Olen. Orange (Ohio): The Ohio-based junior just barely missed out on an automatic qualifier to Nike Cross Nationals, but after the season she's had, there's no reason to hang her head. After finishing 12th a year ago in 17:38.4, Chapman clocked 17:18.8 in her sixth-place finish on Sunday, just seven seconds back of the last qualifying spot. Chapman can still book her ticket to a national championship at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional later this month.
Chloe Huyler, Lakeridge (Ore.): At this point, is anyone truly surprised that Huyler broke the tape again? The future Notre Dame star is a crisp 9-0 on the season, with big-time wins at the 4th Annual Rose City Championship Invite, the OSAA 6A State Championships, and most recently the NXR Northwest Regional. Huyler held off a competitive field in 17:00.0, the fourth-fastest time this fall. Huyler, who finished 32nd at NXN a year ago, is a top-five contender and will be one of the leaders up front dictating the pace.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Daniela Scheffler, Uniontown-Lake (Ohio)
Week 2: Paige Sheppard, Union Catholic (N.J.)
Week 3: Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (Calif.)
Week 4: Lilly Beshears, Rogers (Ark.)
Week 5: Kate Loescher, Colonial Forge (Va.)
Week 6: Gabbie Bishop, Providence Academy (Ark.)
Week 7: Victoria Garces, Midland Dow (Mich.)
Week 8: Marissa Ferebee, Pella (Iowa)
Week 9: Katelyn Rupe, Salina Central (Kan.)
Week 10: Mia Sirois, Barrington (Ill.)