MileSplit National CC Rankings: F-M (NY), North Central (WA) Remain On Top Scott Bush Sep 08, 2008

With many of the top teams in the country running in their first or second competition of the year, the MileSplit National CC Rankings are starting to take better shape. Boys U.S.#1 North Central (WA) opened their season in victorious fashion, while Girls U.S.#1 Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) has yet to compete, but is looking strong in practices.

Monday News & Notes: Boys U.S.#1 North Central Wins Big, Girls U.S.#2 Burnt-Hills Starts Strong Scott Bush Sep 08, 2008

Each Monday this fall we're going to bring you further highlights and results, as well as national news stories, that all are making an impact on the national cross country scene. Check out our first Weekly News & Notes of the season. (picture above by Alan Versaw)

ICCCP Top 15 Round-Up: IL#1's Geneva, Neuqua Valley Dominate Early Scott Bush Sep 07, 2008

A great opening weekend pit some of the best teams in the state against one another, leading to some outstanding results. See which top teams in the state performed like trophy teams and which individuals shined among the rest.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Lutz Beats Brown, Academy Bests Los Alamos Scott Bush Sep 06, 2008

A big weekend of cross country racing took place over the past few days and we have all the news for you in our weekly weekend wrap-up. Top matchups individually and team, boys and girls, span across each meet summary. See which teams stood out this weekend, as the season starts to heat up.

Meet of the Week Preview: Hinsdale Hornet-Red Devil Invitational Scott Bush Sep 05, 2008

As the season gets underway, ILRunners.com will bring you a special feature each week on the top meet of the weekend.  The Meet of the Week will highlight the top competition, providing a pre-race preview, as well as results and analysis.  This week the Hinsdale Hornet-Red Devil Invitational is featured.  We'll be on-site, bringing you photos, videos, results and analysis.  Keep checking back Saturday as we highlight this week's Meet of the Week.

Weekend Preview: Big Meets in Texas, New Mexico Top the Calendar Scott Bush Sep 05, 2008

The second full weekend of the season has many of the top teams and individuals in each state opening up their seasons. From Texas, to South Carolina, to Colorado, to New Mexico, MileSplit will have on-site coverage of nearly a dozen meets this weekend. Check out our weekend preview for the top meets taking place this weekend. (photo courtesy of SCRunners.com)

IL#2 Naperville North Comes Up Big at Waubonsie Scott Bush Sep 04, 2008

IL#2 and US top ten Naperville North boys crushed the competition Wednesday evening at Waubonsie Valley High School, in a tri-meet.  Originally scheduled as a small invitational, but including North, IL#7 Waubonsie Valley and IL#1 Neuqua Valley, the meet was cancelled Tuesday due to the weather.  With Neuqua Valley opting to save their racing until Saturday, North took advantage and earned a 15-47 victory, showing that the Huskies will be a force in 2008.

Tonn and Shrader included in West Top 12 Individual Rankings: Scott Bush Sep 03, 2008

With only six of the twenty Foot Locker finalists from last year returning back in 2008, the West seems to be wide open for newcomers to make names for themselves. Leading the way on the girls side is '05 national champion and '07 third placer Jordan Hasay (CA)  while Chris Schwartz (CA) is the lone male national returnee.

Northeast Top 12 Individual Rankings: Smith, Lipari Lead Northeast Contingent Scott Bush Sep 03, 2008

Every year the Northeast puts out some incredible distance talent, but this fall may be the greatest collection of distance talent seen in some time. Between Doug Smith, Brett Johnson and Solomon Haile, the boys have strong front runners, while the girls follow the lead of Foot Locker veterans Emily Lipari, Emily Jones and Shelby Greany. Come late-November and early-December the Northeast may be looking at national champions at Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker Nationals.

Great American XC Festival Press Release & Analysis Scott Bush Sep 02, 2008

With the Great American XC Festival only five weeks away, the NSSF is extending registration to enter the meet.  Check out the press release and read about the outstanding girls field that is coming together.  Since it's inception, the Great American XC Festival has been one of the best meets in the country, and this year should be no different. (Photo Courtesy of Brandon Miles)

Pre-Season Illinois CC Coaches Poll Released: Geneva Girls, Neuqua Valley Boys #1 Scott Bush Sep 02, 2008

The Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll staff released their pre-season poll Monday, ranking Geneva as the IL #1 girls team and Neuqua Valley the IL#1 boys team. Each week ILRunners.com will provide results and highlights from each ICCCP ranked squad, as well as posting up links early each week to connect you to the ICCCP.

Boys Rankings / Girls Rankings / ICCCP Website

MileSplit National CC Rankings: North Central (WA), F-M (NY) U.S. #1 Scott Bush Sep 02, 2008

Every week this fall leading to Nike Cross Nationals, we'll publish the MileSplit National Cross Country Rankings. In our first installment North Central (WA) boys and Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) girls lead the rankings. Check back every Monday evening for the newest MileSplit National Cross Country Rankings. (picture by Tyrone Hoskins)

MileSplit National CC Rankings: North Central (WA), F-M (NY) U.S. #1 Scott Bush Sep 01, 2008

Portland's Jesuit ranked 11th

Weekend Highlights: Tibaduiza Dominates Competition in Nevada Twilight Scott Bush Aug 30, 2008

The first major weekend of competition showed some great results across the nation. Big meets in Texas, Colorado and Nevada dotted the calendar, with some surprising and not so surprising performances. See what took place in our weekly "Weekend Highlights" section.

Nicolls v. Appel Round 1: Nation's Best Square Off in Early Season Meet Scott Bush Aug 29, 2008

It's rare to see such a great early season match-up take place, but that's what happened Thursday evening in Colorado. The top two ranked Midwest boys, Bobby Nicolls (pictured far right by Ken Regan) and Evan Appel, squared off for the first of what could be a few battles this season, while many other top Colorado teams and individuals took to the 5k spread at the Poudre SD Pre-State Cross Country Invitational in Fort Collins.

Illinois News & Notes: Geneva Gets Stronger, Pawola Looking Strong Scott Bush Aug 29, 2008

This fall ILRunners.com will have a weekly column called "Illinois News & Notes."  The weekly feature will have tidbits from around the state on the sport, news pieces worthy of mentioning, but not necessarily seen in the results.  This week we discuss the Geneva girls team getting even strong and Neuqua Valley's Danny Pawola coming into his own.  Check out this weekly feature as the cross country starts to kick off.

Regional, Sectional Locations Announced Scott Bush Aug 28, 2008

The 2008 regional and sectional assignments were released Wednesday by the IHSA. While the individual team assignments have yet to be released, the locations of the regional and sectional hosts were announced. Thus far it seems as though some reshuffling took place in AAA.

IHSA Assignments - Boys: A / AA / AAA - Girls: A / AA / AAA

West Top 12 Individual Rankings: Hasay, Schwartz Lead the West Scott Bush Aug 27, 2008

With only six of the twenty Foot Locker finalists from last year returning back in 2008, the West seems to be wide open for newcomers to make names for themselves. Leading the way on the girls side is '05 national champion and '07 third placer Jordan Hasay (CA) (pictured above by John Herzog), while Chris Schwartz (CA) is the lone male national returnee.

College News: Ulrey Leaving Northern Iowa for Arkansas Scott Bush Aug 27, 2008

This past spring ex-Illinois prep Dorian Ulrey placed second at the NCAA T&F Championships in the 1500m.  The Northern Iowa standout showed continual improvement since graduating from class A Port Byron RIverdale, running impressive marks in the 1500m, mile and 800m events.  However, Ulrey's coach left to take the head coaching position at DI powerhouse Arkansas earlier this summer, thus prompting Ulrey to transfer to Arkansas this past week.  Article

South Top 12 Individual Rankings: Brasovan & Kroeger Look to Dazzle Scott Bush Aug 26, 2008

Last fall the Foot Locker South girls squad ran strong from start to finish in San Diego, scoring a 1-2 finish up top and tying the Northeast girls for the team trophy. This year eight of the ten female Foot Locker qualifiers return, led by defending national champion Ashley Brasovan (FL) and 2006 national champion Kathy Kroeger (TN) (pictured above by John Herzog). The boys side will follow the lead of '07 Foot Locker qualifiers CJ Brown (TX) and Thomas Porter (VA). These could very well be the strongest boys and girls contingents for the South squad in some time.

Northeast Top 12 Individual Rankings: Smith, Lipari Lead Northeast Contingent Scott Bush Aug 25, 2008

Every year the Northeast puts out some incredible distance talent, but this fall may be the greatest collection of distance talent seen in some time. Between Doug Smith, Brett Johnson and Solomon Haile, the boys have strong front runners, while the girls follow the lead of Foot Locker veterans Emily Lipari, Emily Jones and Shelby Greany. Come late-November and early-December the Northeast may be looking at national champions at Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker Nationals.

Midwest Top 12 Individual Rankings: Nicolls, Flood Lead the Way Scott Bush Aug 25, 2008

2007 showed a distinct disparity between the strength of the Midwest boys and girls at Foot Locker Nationals. While the Midwest boys dominated the team competition at Foot Locker Nationals, the girls finished in fourth. This year the boys look strong, led by the Colorado contingent of Evan Appel, Joseph Manilafasha and Bobby Nicolls (pictured left to right above by John Herzog), while the girls look to rebound and show they can compete with anyone.

Carmel (IN) Takes Title at Asics Hot Summer Bash in Ohio Scott Bush Aug 24, 2008

The cross country season got underway Saturday, as the Asics Hot Summer Bash took place in Ohio. This annual events hosts many of the top teams from Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. This time around, Carmel (IN) won the 5k event in convincing fashion, placing their scoring five in the top 14. Medina's Donny Roys won the overall title in 15:58.

The Coast to Coast Cross Country Countdown Scott Bush Aug 19, 2008

From coast to coast, the MileSplit Cross Country Countdown provides state previews of every state in the nation. Perhaps you're curious about Illinois or California, you could even be curious about the tiny state of Rhode Island. Whatever state you're looking for we've got it covered.

Former East St. Louis Athlete Dawn Harper Wins Gold Scott Bush Aug 19, 2008

Former East St. Louis H.S. track standout, Dawn Harper, won Olympic gold in the women's 100m hurdles Tuesday night in Beijing, China.  From 1999-2002 Harper won three 100m hurdle titles and three 300m hurdle titles, setting a state record in 2001 in the 100m hurdles with a 13.54 effort.  Harper then went on to UCLA and became a multi-time all-American in the hurdles.  Since graduating from UCLA, Harper's been working with Bob Kersee, husband of East St. Louis standout and multiple gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.  Congratulations to Dawn and the East St. Louis community.

Olympic 100m Hurdle Results

Olympians Hall, Richards and Williams Blog in Beijing Scott Bush Aug 07, 2008

With the Olympics kicking off this weekend, WCSN and Universal Sports are posting blogs from some of America's top Olympic track hopefuls. Sprinters Sanya Richards and Lauryn Williams, along with distance runner Ryan Hall (pictured above by Victor Sailor of PhotoRun.net), will have frequent blog postings over the course of the Games. Want to know what it's like to be an Olympian? This is where you'll learn.

Sanya Richards / Lauryn Williams / Ryan Hall

'08 Cross Preview: AAA Boys Top Individuals Scott Bush Aug 06, 2008

A slew of talent graduated in the class of '08, but this fall won't be without it's super stars in Illinois. Despite only eleven of the top 45 returning from last year's state cross country meet, the talent Illinois shows year in and year out never disappoints. While the depth isn't as strong on paper heading into the season as last year, that may mean that 2008 will ultimately be close from top to bottom, creating some surprises. Read who the top 21 AAA returnees are. You might be a little surprised.

*Note: We've included the top 17 finishers in last year's state race, with another four that could finish in the top 12 if they take that next step.

Roesler's Breakout Season Scott Bush Aug 03, 2008

Before the '07-'08 track season, North Dakota's Laura Roesler was already a growing legend in her home state. As a freshman Roesler won quadruple gold at her state track and field championships, winning the 100, 200, 400 and 800m dash events. Despite the success, Roesler wasn't as well known outside her state, but it seemed it was only a matter of time.

A strong fall led to an ever impressive spring, one that saw Roesler win four more state titles, but then go on a tear at 800m, lowering her time dramatically and reaching into U.S. top ten all-time status. The capping point on the season came at the Olympic Trials, an event that saw Roesler make the semi-finals and become one of the crowd favorites amongst a field of professional runners. This is the story of her season.

Cross Country Coverage Starting August 1 on ILRunners.com Scott Bush Jul 28, 2008

The cross country season in Illinois is so close to starting.  With school starting in less than a month for most, the staff of ILRunners.com is working hard on providing the best coverage found anywhere this fall of the Illinois high school cross country season.  Previews, race coverage, video, photos, interviews, rankings and much more are all apart of this season's mission.  Check back August 1st as we kick-off the season in style.

Adam Harris is an Olympian Scott Bush Jul 28, 2008

An official press release came out today stating that ex-Illinois sprinting great Adam Harris (University of Michigan / Wheaton North H.S.) has been selected to run for the Guyana Olympic squad at the Olympic Games which start in August in Beijing, China. Harris, who is the reigning Big Ten T&F Athlete of the Year, was selected to compete for Guyana in the 200m dash, an event he earned the Olympic "B" standard in earlier this season. Read official press release inside. (pictured left courtesy of the University of Michigan)