Boys-
MileSplit 50 Teams/teams to watch: #3 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #17 Arlington Heights (Hersey); Carmel IN, St. Charles E, Naperville (Neuqua Valley), Rockhurst MO, Davidson OH
The real quick rundown- (Writen by Carson Vittorio)
On paper, it is going to be a different look than normal because the Ohio State Championship was held a day prior. Some of the key teams from the Buckeye state may or may not make the trek to compete for a spot for a spot to Portland or even pride sake. It is unfortunate as a whole for the Midwest Regional which typically is considered one of the deepest posts in the NXNR chain.
Wheaton South won their first state title at IHSA 3A State Meet with a 40 point win over Arlington Heights Hersey. The Tigers have been a main staple of the top ten ranked teams in the nation. They have three top pack runners in junior William Hauenstein, senior Scott Maison, and junior Jacob Kluckhohn and that was a big reason why they won their state title. Their biggest issue is some injuries they are facing with their number four runner, senior Sean Maison, and number five runner, junior David Zeller. They do have depth with a great sixth runner in junior Jared Peaslee and seventh runner junior Ethan Seng. It will be a tough battle for that second automatic qualifier position between Hersey, Carmel, St. Charles East, and Neuqua Valley with all having a chance to advance to the national meet.
The battle for the individual title is between two of the nations elite in seniro Cole Hocker and senior Nick Foster. Hocker should know LaVern Gibson like the back of his hand already racing here on three occasions this season, including the fastest time ran on the course in a non-championship race with a 15:00 at the Nike Valley Twilight Meet. He has been undefeated on the year, but only against indiana's top talent. He has yet to face a national elite runner this year. Foster has been around more national elite this season with a good amount of talent in Michigan this season. His PR is a bit off of Hocker's with a 15:03, but every course is diffferent. A good gague of how good Foster truly is was when he ran an amazing 3200m and 1600m double running a 8:54 3200m and a 4:12 1600m at the Golden Triangle Invite. Other individuals to watch include Conant Smith (OH). Smith has the state meet the day before, but he did receive all-american honors last year at NXN and has been one of the best in the nation this season. With these new at-large individuals could Smith make it even without running at NXR or if he chooses to run will the committee applaud his effort and give him the at-large bid even if he runs poorly? Josh Methner is coming off an impressive state win at the IHSA State Meet with a 14:11.50 for three miles. He is only a junior, but is one of the top juniors in the nation. Could he surprise a lot of people like he did last year with his seventh place finish?