RESULTS

GIRLS RECAP

While the girls’ race was pretty much decided shortly after two-miles, the boys’ championship at NXN came down to a kick in the final straightaway, with American Fork junior Casey Clinger rising to the occasion to take the title in 15:03.2. The Utah star had to sprint away from 2014 top returner Ben Veatch from Indiana, who was second today in 15:04.8. 

Clinger is the first non-senior to win Nike Cross Nationals since Craig Lutz in 2009. 

Alek Parsons completed a 1-3 finish for the state of Utah, as the Southwest region runner-up (to Clinger, of course) was third in 15:05.6. 

Pre-race favorite Austin Tamagno of California fell flat on Saturday in Portland, tumbling down to 26th in 15:33.5. The future Oregon Duck was never a factor in the closing portions of the race, which will go down as the biggest shocker of the day at Glendoveer Golf Course. 

Tamagno was fifth at Foot Locker last fall as a junior, and was attempting to become the first California boy to win an NXN individual title. His credentials made that seem like a very real possibility in 2015, as his 3:46 1500 speed makes him a tough out in crunch time. But Tamagno never got to flash that speed on Saturday, instead ending his high school cross country career on a bitter note.  

It was a bit of a surprise to see Tamagno opt for NXN this season after he skipped the event in 2014 despite his team qualifying, but his choice was seen as an easier path to victory over Foot Locker, which would’ve been a collision with in-state rival Philip Rocha and future Oregon teammate Drew Hunter. More surprising, though, was seeing Tamagno finishing some 30 seconds behind race winner Clinger. 

The number 1 ranked Great Oak boys delivered in Portland, taking the team title with 114 points led by senior Spencer Dodds in 15th. Dodds led the race at two-miles in 9:43, only to fall well back in the final stages, but it was still enough to help the California state champs beat out second place American Fork.

Led by Clinger’s victory, the team from Utah claimed a trophy despite only finishing fourth in the Southwest region, which meant an at-large bid from the selection committee was needed just to make it to Portland. A big difference maker for AF was junior Patrick Parker— 73rd at NXN SW, he was 47th today at Nationals.

Dana Hills claimed third with 181 points, making it four teams from the state of California that won a trophy between the girls and boys races.