Ben Huffman (Providence Day) was the top NC finisher at the individual national championship in San Diego. (All photos by Margot Kelly)
Three of North Carolina's best are on their way to San Diego to participate in the individual national championship race.
Alexa Efraimson (WA) stormed past Sarah Baxter (CA) and Elise Cranny (CO) in the final 600 to win a dramatic girls' race.
Elly Henes (Green Hope) is North Carolina's lone representative in Oregon this year. LIVE webcast begins at 12:30 Eastern.
Powered by three individual qualifiers, North Carolina claimed the win in the seeded boys race at Foot Locker South.
While most of North Carolina's top runners have opted for McAlpine, a few teams and individuals will head to WakeMed.
McCann Sheridan was in third at the bell and looked to be done, when he mounted a huge kick to take the win.
The Chargers Postseason Tune-Up combines a beautiful facility with good competition, as Foot Locker South approaches.
Huffman pushed the pace early, then Milder provided an incredible finish, and both went under 9 minutes for the first time.
Ben Huffman (Providence Day, in white) signalled the start of a tremendous postseason with a win at Reagan last year.
From the start to the finish and everywhere between, the athletes, the course, and the officials delivered a meet for the ages.
The first gun fires at 10:00 Saturday, starting off a day filled with some of the most exciting battles in recent memory.
Talent springs up where it will, and there is plenty of it among the state's independent schools, especially on the girls' side.
A battle of two youngsters in the NCISAA 2A state meet is just one of the highlights in a huge weekend of cross country action.
One of the biggest rivalries in the state, and two of the top 10 teams in the state - that makes for an exciting conferenece meet.
The girls race features a dominant individual and a hotly-contested team battle that will provide one school with momentum for the state meet.
It's a classic battle between Reagan's tightly-packed depth and the front-running power of Mount Tabor, and the outcome is anyone's guess.
Mitchell Resor and Nathan Kemper battled over the Beeson Park course for the title of UNOFFICIAL JV State Champion.
Nathan Kemper is the top returner from last year's boys Frosh/Soph race, while Weddington's guys seek a repeat team title.
Ben Huffman (Providence Day) made a final surge up the hill at WakeMed that will change national rankings and postseason predictions.
With regional- and national-caliber invitationals on three of the state's four major courses, this is the biggest weekend of the regular season.
Ragsdale's Sara Platek became the fourth North Carolina girl (and first from 4A) to break 18 minutes so far this season.
From the unusual and exciting figure-eight start to the impressive awards, the Greensboro Invitational has a unique atmosphere.
Three of these girls broke 18 at WakeMed, and there was also a breakthrough cross country race from one of the state's best track runners.
The downhill start at WakeMed helps get the pace set very fast, and that often leads to fast times despite the challenging course.
Lexi King's dominating run was the best performance on NC soil yesterday, but there are many other highlights to check out.
The Weddington Invitational is run on a challenging course that nonetheless has produced fast times (especially in cool weather)
Collin Loy had an impressive run at UNCW, cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with in the 4A ranks.
The Seahawk Invitational, with its high level of individual and team competition, headlines a big weekend of competition.
The Jungle Run did not disappoint, providing athletes with the chance to post numerous PR's and top-ranked times.