XC Weekend Recap: Champions Crowned and Upsets Abound

Boys Recap

Rain and mud set the stage for a thrilling Nike Cross Nationals boys championship race in Portland, Oregon. Charlie Vause of Rio Rancho (NM) emerged victorious in his NXN debut, charging from the back of a six-man pack at the 4K mark to claim the individual title in 15:28.1. Vause's late surge, highlighted by a blistering 2:59 final kilometer, secured him a national championship just weeks after finishing third at Southwest Regionals. Senior TJ Hansen of Freeland (MI) was runner-up in 15:30.6, improving from his 10th-place finish last year. Caden Leonard of Carroll (TX) took third and is the top returner for 2025. The top six finishers, including Tommy Latham (Marist), Evan Noonan (Dana Hills), and Keegan Smith (Knoxville Catholic), were separated by just six seconds, showcasing the competitive depth of the field.

In the team race, Niwot (CO) pulled off a stunning upset to claim their first NXN title, outscoring a loaded field with 70 points. Projected third pre-race, Niwot executed a tight 31-second scoring spread and a 16:04 average. They were led by junior Hunter Robbie, who finished 21st overall in 15:52.7. American Fork (UT) took second with 96 points, edging Herriman (UT) in third. Pre-meet favorite Christian Brothers Academy (NJ) fell to fifth with 147 points. The victory completed a historic sweep for Colorado, as the Mountain Vista girls secured the team title earlier in the day.

Girls Recap

The girls' race was defined by a record-breaking individual performance from Jane Hedengren of Timpview (UT), who stormed to victory in 16:32.7, shattering Katelyn Tuohy's 2018 course record by five seconds. The senior, heading to BYU next fall, dominated from the start, extending her lead throughout to win by 40 seconds. Midland Dow's Victoria Garces finished second in 17:13.4, edging Boerne Champion's Elizabeth Leachman, who clocked 17:13.7. Mountain Vista's Keeghan Edwards was fourth in 17:15.2, leading her team to the national title. Defending NXN champion Addison Ritzenhein of Niwot (CO) rounded out the top five in 17:15.3.

Mountain Vista (CO) captured their first Nike Cross Nationals team title with 75 points and a 1:43 scoring spread. They averaged 18:05, led by Edwards, who was the top team scorer. Strong performances from Juliet Frum (27th), Claire Guiberson (32nd), and Peyton Adams (48th) helped secure the win. Lone Peak (UT) finished second with 107 points, and Buchanan (CA) placed third with 123. Colorado's dominance continued as both the boys and girls team titles were swept by the state for the first time since New York's Fayetteville-Manlius in 2014.