About half the country is through its state meet, with another chunk heading to the start line this weekend.
The first Nike Cross Regional is this weekend, and registration is filling up for the Brooks XC Championships.
We're finally ready to get those head-to-head matchups we've been dreaming of - but just how might they play out?
Who Could Win?
Being ranked U.S. No. 1 doesn't make you the favorite for the national title. It's a prediction of how a race might play out in a perfect scenario. Brooks, NXN and RunningLane are rarely perfect for anyone.
In our eyes, three athletes have a legitimate shot at the U.S. No. 1 spot. Let's look at the rankings - and how they've shuffled out.
She won the Michigan state meet convincingly this weekend, running 16:09. To put that in perspective, when her sister Zofia won Foot Locker in 2019, she ran 17:00 on the same course. Super shoes only help so much, and that time is remarkable.
Her buildup this season has been gradual, and she hasn't had an off race. She's also running for her team - extra motivation - and as only a sophomore, she faces little pressure, with two more chances at a national title in the coming years. Being from Michigan, she's used to NXN weather, but not the conditions at Brooks or RunningLane. She has to be considered a favorite.
The 2023 NXN national champion is back in a strong groove. As a junior, she finished fifth at NXN and is the top returner, just two seconds off silver last year.
Ritzenhein knows how to race and how to perform at Portland Meadows. She has the experience of both winning and losing and will use that to her advantage. She's running for her team, which adds motivation, and there's no Jane Hedengren this year to push an unsustainable pace up front.
New this year, Addy has accepted a Golden Ticket to Brooks, giving her room for risk - another shot at a national title if a move goes wrong at Nike. It could be an opportunity to put it all on the line against the best in the country.
The newcomer has been unstoppable all season. In the company of Tuohy and Cuffe at Great American and dominating the field at Wingfoot.
After winning NXR Southeast last year, she finished 11th at Foot Locker South, showing she's eager to compete at both national meets. Could we see a sweep?
The weather will be a factor. Georgia and Portland are polar opposites - no pun intended - and Lowen finished 78th the year before. However, she's a different athlete in 2025 and has handled every field with ease so far. This could be a very good race.