Nike Cross Nationals 2013

Portland, OR

Coverage

XC Journal: Courtney Smith, Unionville - Entry #8 - Dec 10 - A fall, a strong finish & bonding Dec 10, 2013

Unionville senior Courtney Smith enters her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships.

Blacksburg girls 21st, Tommy Mulroy 99th at NXN Dec 08, 2013

Not the greatest day to end the cross country seasons for Virginia's two lone representatives at the Nike Cross Nationals with girls team qualifier Blacksburg finishing 21st out of 22 schools and boys individual team qualifier Tommy Mulroy of Midlothian finishing 99th out of 197 runners. This year's national race at Portland Meadows in Portland, Oregon was not as much of a mudfest as in years past, but a chilly frozen tundra of a course for runners to compete on which allowed for course records and much faster times than in previous years.

NXN Texas Recap Dec 08, 2013

Girls Recap: Texas was well represented as New Braunfels, Southlake Carroll, and The Woodlands ran in the cold and windy conditions in Portland.  Natalie Rathjen earned All-American status placing 18th. She was the first Texan to cross the line.

Wayzata Prevents Washington State Sweep - NXN 2013 Dec 07, 2013

Portland, Oregon - On race day, anything can happen.  The team that manages best, manages a win.  For the tenth annual Nike Cross Nationals, teams for both genders were some of the most evenly matched ever, with individual field equally as deep with talent.

Nike Cross Nationals By Home State Dec 07, 2013

As many of the nation's best battled the cold and wind (and hay bales and manufactured hills), they also represented their home states.

Thinking about NXN... Dec 06, 2013

The NXN boys race last ran on a frozen track in 2009. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Nick Diaz Takes Us Along On His NXN Journey Dec 06, 2013

Miami Sunset junior Nick Diaz was the lone Florida qualifier for this weekend's Nike Nationals in Portland, Oregon.  Diaz punched his ticket after a ninth place finish at the Nike Southeast Regional. Due to a great team performance by the Brentwood High School team, the junior bumped up four spots into that fifth and final position. He landed in the Pacific Northwest on Thursday and will be giving us updates of his weekend so we can go along  for the journey as well. Stay tuned to flrunners.com and milesplit.com for the latest in coverage from NXN including results, photos, videos, and a complete recap of all the action. 

Athlete Spotlight: Tommy Mulroy (Midlothian) Dec 05, 2013

Tommy Mulroy will be the lone Virginian in the championship boys race on Saturday in Portland, Oregon for the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals. MileStat.com interviewed the Midlothian senior Mulroy after his breakthrough 15:07 runner-up PR performance at the NXN Southeast Regional and prepares for his first national race this weekend.

Getting to know the NXN bound Blacksburg girls Dec 05, 2013

Before the Blacksburg girls fly out to Portland, Oregon later this week to compete at the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals, MileStat.com interviewed all 7 members of their varsity squad with a series of Q&A questions to get to know each individually better as well as them share details on their teammates and team's incredible season leading to a national berth.

XC Journal: Courtney Smith, Unionville - Entry #7 - Dec 5 - One more race to goal Dec 05, 2013

Unionville senior Courtney Smith entered her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships. Smith led her team to a qualifying spot and trip to NXN after winning the Northeast Regional. But in the first 1000 meters in Portland, she fell and was spiked. She recovered for 10th. Then during indoor, and despite an injury, Smith captured 3rd in an incredible 3000 at PTFCA Indoor States, and anchored her DMR to a state title. Two weeks later, she anchored that DMR to a 6th place finish in the New Balance Nationals Indoor champs in a time ten seconds better than their state title... and anchored the 4xmile the next day to a 3rd place finish - both earning all-American recognition. But the injury endured. She went through PT, and returned to racing at the Henderson Invitational on May 2nd. Beyond happy to be back.

Colorado dreamin' at NXN (updated) Dec 05, 2013

Claire Green is one of only two members of the current Monarch team who have experienced Nike Cross Nationals. Colorado Track XC file photo.

NXN Northeast Journal: Griffin Molino - South Williamsport - Represents District 4 well Dec 03, 2013

Junior Griffin Molino of South Williamsport made an impact in the post-season by winning his first District 4 Class A title, then moving on to the PIAA State Champs and taking the title there as well, tied for the 2nd best time of the date in an class with a 15:54. But qualifying for NXN in his first try? He believed. And he delivered. Read his take on last week and how never to give up in a race.