* Jackson Spencer broke German Fernandez's 18-year-old Woodward Park course record
Photo Credit: DeAnna Turner/MileSplit California
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Huge meet records, standout debuts, and blazing fast times headlined the second slate of October racing, fueled by national-caliber competition in the Pacific Northwest and the first wave of postseason meets.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, October 16, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing boys from this past weekend.
*Athletes cannot be nominated for National Performer of the Week in back-to-back weeks*
This Week's Nominees:
Jackson Spencer, Herriman (Utah): What can't he do? Out west in Fresno, Spencer made history at the historic Woodward Park. At the ASICS Clovis Invitational, Spencer smashed German Fernandez's 18-year-old course record of 14:24 by over seven seconds, running 14:16.9. Spencer also shot up the all-time lists to No. 12 in prep history, running the fastest time we've seen since 2022. Spencer won the race by 28 seconds as he led Herriman to a runner-up finish.
Malachi Schoenherr, Sheldon (Ore.): He's inevitable! Malachi Schoenherr dug deep as he out-kicked Warrenton's (Ore.) Jayden Warner, as the pair crossed the line in 14:39.22 and 14:39.39, respectively. This shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone, considering Schoenherr has been electric this season, this time running sub-14:40 for the third time in four 5k races. The BYU commit is only getting better as the weeks go by.
Cohen Butler, Camas (Wash. ): After clocking 14:40 for a fourth-place finish at Nike Portland XC a few weeks ago, Butler did it again-this time grabbing the win. The senior pulled away late to post a 14:36.9 after a strong third mile, continuing his impressive fall campaign. Now 3-2 on the season, Butler has proven he's a legitimate contender as championship racing draws closer.
Caden Leonard, Southlake-Carroll (Texas): In the first race of his senior campaign, the top returner from Nike Cross Nationals made it clear he's fit. At his final UIL District 4-6A cross country meet, Leonard opened the floodgates as he ran 14:29, lowering his PB by four seconds. Leonard led the way in a Southlake-Carroll 1-2-3 finish, leading the Dragons to their 16th consecutive district title. Leonard also set a new course and meet record.
Hunter Robbie, Niwot (Colo.): One of the best runners in the country, Robbie threw down his fourth top-four finish of the season en route to his third win this fall, leading the charge in a Niwot blowout as he finished side-by-side teammate Rocco Culpepper, as the pair ran 15:02.66 and 15:02.76, respectively. The Cougars casually went 1-2-3-5-7-9-11 at the Granite Peaks League Championship, winning their second consecutive league title.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Aaron Brodrick, Oconee County (Ga.)
Week 2: Sean Fries, Minnetonka (Minn.)
Week 3: Brody Anderson, Topeka-Seaman (Kan.)
Week 4: Griffen Saacke, Bridgeland (Texas)
Week 5: Kavi Gibson, Cary Academy (N.C.)
Week 6: Andrew Brown, Tupelo (Miss.)
Week 7: Jackson Free, Mountain Home (Ark.)