Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional coverage
Where: Eagle Island XC Course, Boise, ID
When: 3:05 p.m. CT
States: AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
When: 3:05 p.m. CT
States: AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
Saucony Flo50 Teams: #6 Bozeman (MT), #19 North Central (WA)
Team Challengers: Central Catholic (OR), Bellarmine Prep (WA), Crater (OR), Jesuit (OR), Summit (OR), Sunset (OR), Tahoma Senior (WA)
Team Challengers: Central Catholic (OR), Bellarmine Prep (WA), Crater (OR), Jesuit (OR), Summit (OR), Sunset (OR), Tahoma Senior (WA)
2015 Team Qualifiers: Summit (OR), Bozeman (MT)
Top Individual Returners: 3. Andy Monroe (OR), 4. Ahmed Muhumed (OR), 12. Riley Collins (MT), 15. Chase Equall (MT), 20. Amir Ado (WA), 25. Peder Rickbell (MT), 26. Zane Fodge (OR), 29. Derek Tripp (OR), 31. Taylor Phillips (ID), 32. Luke George (WA)
Analysis: Two individual qualifiers from 2015 return to Eagle Island in Andy Monroe and Ahmed Muhumed, both of whom recently won an Oregon state cross country title. They ran nearly identical times to win in different classifications, as Monroe ran 15:20 to win the Class 5A title and Muhumed ran 15:21 in Class 6A. The duo have not raced this season but they traded wins in 2015, as Monroe finished ahead at NXN Northwest but Muhumed placed higher at the Border Clash (third to fifth) and NXN (40th to 54th).
But not to be overlooked is Bozeman senior Chase Equall, who has improved to be the best cross country runner in Montana state history. 15th at this meet last year and 89th at NXN, Equall recently won his first state title in 14:40.74 for the three miles; the solo run broke a 26-year-old state meet record.
Equall looks to lead Bozeman to their second straight NXN appearance. The Hawks recently won their ninth straight Montana Class AA state title with an impressive 30 points. Behind Equall, the Hawks' top five filed through in second, fourth, sixth and 17th overall.
Traditional power North Central of Washington has reloaded this year and found themselves back in the national rankings at No. 19. They recently won their 11th consecutive Washington Class 3A title --a state record-- and took down several top-ranked teams at the Bob Firman Invitational (No. 25 Ogden of UT, OR Class 5A state champs Crater, WA 4A state champs Bellarmine Prep).
Another team with a nice streak is Central Catholic, who recently won their fifth straight Oregon Class 6A state title.
Team Prediction: 1. Bozeman 2. North Central
Individual Prediction: 1. Chase Equall 2. Ahmed Muhumed 3. Andy Monroe 4. Josh Schumacher 5. Marshall Beatty (MT)
The North Central boys hope to redeem themselves after missing NXN in 2015. Watch their post-race interview from last year: