POLL: National Boys XC Performer of the Week (Sept. 15-21)

Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/MileSplit California

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The penultimate weekend of September cross country was undoubtedly the best we've seen so far this season, highlighted by dominant solo efforts at the 44th Annual Woodbridge Classic and four more high-caliber meets scattered throughout the country.

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.

Kavi Gibson, Cary Academy (N.C.): The undefeated senior made it three wins in a row at the Hare & Hounds Invitational in Charlotte. Gibson was the lone athlete to break 15:00, winning in 14:50.7 to the runner-up's 15:06.3. Not only was Gibson the fastest out of nearly 300 runners, but he also led the Chargers to a runner-up team finish.

Jackson Spencer, Herriman (Utah): The future BYU Cougar didn't waste any time on Saturday at the 44th Annual Woodbridge Classic, blowing the Doug Speck Boys' Sweepstakes field out of the water by 18 seconds. Spencer solo'd a 13:42.10,  12 seconds back of Owen Powell's (Mercer Island) course record he established a year ago.  Spencer led over 100 boys sub-15 for three miles, while simultaneously leading the sixth-ranked Mustang squad to a big team win over Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) and Coeur D'Alene (Idaho), who came into Woodbridge ranked No. 2 and No. 8 in the COROS MileSplit50.

Ruel Newberry, Denton-Guyer (Texas): The sophomore star added another resume-boosting win to his growing list, this time breaking the tape at the Nike South Invitational over the weekend. Newberry threw down a 15:00.1 as he comfortably off a talented, multi-state field by five seconds. Newberry separated himself from fellow sophomore Graham Hummel in the second mile and never looked back. This was his second win in three races this season. 

Daniel Enriquez Kapaun, Kapaun Mt. Carmel (Kan.): What a day to break out! The top Kansas returner from a year ago is now the second-fastest Kansan in state history after winning the 36th Annual Southern Stampede. Enriquez had no trouble at all pulling away from the field, ultimately winning by 20 seconds, running 14:43.04. The senior also led the Crusaders to a dominant team title over Ft. Smith Southside (State), 72-193. 

Kellen Williams, Jesuit (Ore.): Have yourself a day! The Jesuit senior took care of business in Tillamook over the weekend, winning The Mook Invite at Alderbrook in a blistering 14:28.1. Williams led the way for 18 other sub-15 finishers, including runner-up Miro Parr-Coffin. Williams and company made it a sweep, picking up the team title over Lincoln (Ore.), 55-99. Williams is now unofficially the second-fastest Oregonian in state history, and just the second to ever break 14:30, joining Crater's Tyrone Gorze.