40 boys athletes returned to Portland, Oregon, this season for their second crack at Nike Cross Nationals - 33 of them ran faster in 2025.
Tyrus Needles saw the most improvement, dropping 1:23.90 from his performance a year ago. The junior from Sioux Falls Lincoln played a big role in getting his team to their second straight Nike Cross Nationals at the NXR Heartland Regional, finishing 8th against a strong field.
Needles stepped up once again over the weekend, finishing as the team's low-stick en route to a 6th-place finish at the premier team championship in the country.
Five other athletes improved upon their time from last season by over a minute, including Needles' teammate Miles Lechtenberg, who finished three positions behind his teammate in 35th.
Check out all of the runners who dropped the most time from last season at Nike Cross Nationals.
NOTE: Athletes who have not improved their times year-over-year were not included.