Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/MileSplit California
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In case you weren't aware, there was a handful of national-caliber meets that went down over the weekend.
There were big-time runs under the lights at the Wingfoot Classic and the 44th Annual Woodbridge Classic, as well as dominating performances at The Mook XC Invite at Alderbook and the Nike South Invitational.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, September 25, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing girls from this past weekend.
*Athletes cannot be nominated for National Performer of the Week in back-to-back weeks*
This Week's Nominees:
Elin Latta, South Texas Heat Homeschool (Texas): The talented sophomore led the way in a wickedly fast field, winning the Varsity Elite section at Nike South in 17:17.3. The sophomore separated from the field, ultimately building up a 12-second gap on the chase pack. The sophomore is one of the top runners in the region right now.
Sophia Rodriguez, Mercer Island (Wash.): It was pure domination from the Mercer Island standout, as Rodriguez came out victorious at The Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook, winning the Elite Varsity Girls 5k in 16:10, 18 seconds quicker than the next finisher. This is Rodriguez's second win at this meet, and first since 2023.
Jazzlyn Garmer, The Webb School of Knoxville (Tenn.): It's never a bad day when you pick up your first win of the season and notch your first-ever sub-17 performance! The future Furman Paladin broke the tape at the Hare & Hounds Invitational, clocking 16:57.30 as she became the fifth-fastest Tennessean ever, and is now one of just seven girls to break 17:00 in the state's history.
Lily Alder, Timpview (Utah): A year removed from finishing third, the BYU commit wanted to leave Orange County Great Park with a win this time around, and that's what she did. Alder came down the homestretch neck and neck with La Jolla's (Calif.) Chiara Dailey, but pulled away to win in 15:40 over Dailey's 15:41. Alder remains one of the top contenders for a national title or two later this season.
Averi Lowen, Bowdon (Ga.): Three races and three wins is the name of the game for the Georgia junior, as Lowen picked up a huge win at the Wingfoot XC Classic. The Bowdon standout stopped the clock at 16:28.1, over 90 seconds before the next finisher crossed the line. Lowen also notched a new course record and became the fastest runner in Georgia state history.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Sophia Szolosi, Athens (Ohio)
Week 2: Addison Kegel, Billings Central Catholic (Mont.)
Week 3: Brianna Reilly, Harrisburg (S.D.)
Week 4: Sienna Anderson, Summit (Tenn.)