NXN Girls winner Natasza Dubek details her electric performance during the post-race conference
PORTLAND, Ore- Several things remain true after the 20th edition of the Nike Cross Nationals is in the books. 1) Rain is always in the forecast this time of the year, and it has a significant impact on the course. 2) The Midwest teams and individuals are underrated, but year over year, more often than not, they produce fantastic results.
The boys' teams and individuals lead off-
#1 Niwot, Colorado, repeated as team champions. The Cougars led by a huge margin early on, then saw it cut to a scant 61 points over the last two kilometers, but prevailed. It was one of the best performances of all time. Herriman, Utah, was second with 97 points. The third trophy went to New Jersey's Christian Brothers Academy. The Colts scored 110 points.
Columbus North came in as the top team from the Midwest Regional. The Cougars entered the fray undefeated, and the projection model indicated they could finish between sixth and tenth. Head Coach Rick Sluder agreed with the sentiment. "We feel if we are consistent, we can be a top 10 team," he said before the meet. Columbus North maintained a tight 30-second scoring split throughout the race and ultimately placed eighth with 209 points. Senior Jace Works led the way with a 60th-place finish in 16:01.
Finishing 12th in a national championship is something to be proud of. That was the placement of Plainfield North, who produced their best race of the season outside of the IHSA 3A State Championship. The Tigers surpassed more than half the field, including all highly publicized four California teams. They used a 36-second scoring split, which parlayed into 294 points. Senior Thomas Czerwinski led the way with a 67th-place finish.
Individually, the boys from Terre Haute competed well, and the results showed. Leading the way was emerging superstar sophomore Jack McGovern of Rockhurst HS in Missouri in 10th place. McGovern ran a smart race, going out a bit conservative, sitting in 40th place at the first kilometer. He moved up steadily at each checkpoint and closed things out with a final kilometer in 3:08 to pull his time to 15:21.
Ann Arbor, MI junior Kamari Ronfeldt earned the other All-American spot, taking 18th in 15:31. Just missing finishing among the top 21 was sophomore Brice Fuller of Fairless, Ohio. He took 22nd in 15:32. Festus, Missouri, senior Carson Driemeier had an off day, placing 63rd. The final tally was Philip Cupial of Downers Grove North. The senior, who was the regional champ, endured one of the roughest days in his running career, taking 187th place with a time of 17:40.
Natasza Dudek (#262) leads followers Maddie Gullickson and Summer Wilson (on the inside) through the early portion of the girls race (Kyle Braziel photo)
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Coming in, no one said it would be easy for US#1 Natasza Dudek. The sophomore sensation from Ann Arbor HS had been setting records throughout the season and running as wild as an untamed colt.
She was ready for this moment.
The Michigander Dudek secured the frontrunner position, as she was accustomed to doing. She led the first kilometer (3:15), mile (5:21), and 2K (6:35). In tow, it was Summer Wilson and Maddie Gullickson for the first two checkpoints--both seniors who repped Irvine, California, and Wayzata, Minnesota.
Eastlake, CA, senior Jaelyn Williams and Lawrenceville, NJ, sophomore Blair Bartlett joined in at 2K, while Wilson fell back. It was a tandem of four runners through the third kilometer.
At 3K, Williams put her foot down on the gas and jetted away from Dudek and Bartlett. The time was 10:07 on the clock, and the top three appeared as though they came from here.
It was a five-second lead for Williams, who crossed the fourth kilometer in 13:18. Dudek and Bartlett trailed but worked together subconsciously, and somehow kept themselves afloat if Williams came back to reality.
With just a quarter-mile remaining and that tough hill climb before the long straightaway finish, Williams started to run out of gas. It was at that moment that Dudek seized the opportunity. She moved ahead with one final surge, passing Williams and putting a gap on her as well as Bartlett, who also passed Williams.
Dudek was in the clear and hit the finish tape with a sensational victory in 16:50! She immediately fell to the ground, completely exhausted. Bartlett also broke 17:00, taking second in 16:51. For her valiant effort, Williams held on for third and finished in 16:58.
Effingham St. Anthony IL junior Isabella Keller enjoyed a wonderful post-season, moved well throughout the race, moved up 10 spots from the second kilometer, and placed fourth in 17:15. She was just over a second ahead of teammate Emma Hoffman of Ostego, Michigan, who ran 17:16.
Senior "Sunny" Sundara Weber of Sandwich, IL, won sweet redemption this post-season, collected her first All-American honor, coming home 13th with a time of 17:34. Gaylord, Michigan, senior Katie Berkshire just missed All-American honors. She took 24th with a time of 17:49. Finishing as the fifth runner and completing an outstanding Midwest Individual team "win" was Kyla Babb of Westmont, IL. The senior took 43rd overall in 18:13.
Although Wayzata was not in the Midwest Regional, they are a true-blood Midwest team. Congratulations to the Trojans for winning their second NXN team title, scoring 142 points, five more than Niwot, CO. It was their first title since 2013.
There were two MW teams in the field, both from Michigan. Romeo made their second consecutive trip and improved to 8th place. Knicknamed the "Bruce Township", scored 264 points.
Ann Arbor Pioneer didn't fare as well as they would have liked, despite having the ultimate low stick in Dudek. The Pioneers placed 18th overall with 367 points.
