In the boys race Notre Dame commit Cameron Todd utilized his usual tactics as we have become accustomed to where he went with a conservative start relatively compared to other top runners. Todd went through the first kilometer in 40th place with a 3:01.1. Despite his positioning he was still within 4 seconds of the lead.
He would move up to 19th by the 2K before setting himself up for the finish by positioning himself in 5th with 1K to go.
Todd would have the field's second fastest closing K where he would run 2:56.6 and cut into JoJo Jourdon's lead. In the final stretch Cameron would hold off Nathan Neil by one tenth of a second, who had the fastest closing K of 2:55.0. These two competitors were 14th and 19th at the 1K and also worked their way up the field.
Cameron's finish is the best finish for an Indiana boy since Cole Hocker won in 2018 before winning Foot Locker Nationals the next weekend. His runner-up finish also awards him as 1st team All-American.
University of Tennessee commit Will Conway battled through the elements as well throughout the race and was side-by-side with Todd through the 1K with a 3:00.9. Conway would wrap up a very impressive senior season with a respectable 46th place finish. He holds this year's fastest 5K time from the state with a 14:41.25 which also ranks him 20th nationally.
In the girls race Notre Dame commit Addison Knoblauch would get out to a fast start with the leaders after running to an impressive runner-up finish at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional last weekend.
She would establish herself in the case pack by the first kilometer as Rachel Forsyth and Elizabeth Leachman had already broke away. She would hang with the pack through the 2K before several runners would make moves to try and chase down Leachman who had a 15 second lead at the time.
In the closing Ks Knoblauch would show a gutsy performance to secure a 19th place finish in 18:00.2 to become a 3rd team All-American.
Right in front of Knoblauch was sophomore Libby Dowty who hold steady positioning throughout the race. She would get out 6 seconds slower than Knoblauch at the first K and would slowly pick off individuals before she hit the 2K mark.
At the 2K Dowty would be positioned in 17th place which is ultimately where she would finish the race. She would be the top Indiana girl after running close races with Knoblauch this entire post season including last weekend where Addison bested her by 6 seconds. Foot Locker will be another good matchup against these runners next weekend.
Libby's 17th place performance earns her the title of 3rd team All-American as well. Removing the seniors from this field would put her as the 9th fastest returner for next year.
Julia Score was Indiana's fifth overall entry at NXN this year after earning an at-large bid. She was able to hold her positioning well throughout the race to finish 41st in the nation.
As the 9th overall sophomore in the field and 24th overall returner the future is bright for Julia.
Be sure to check out all of MileSplit's coverage from the NXN Championships as well as all of the action from the RunningLane XC Championships as well with this being the last weekend of XC racing for a majority of athletes. The cross country season has one week remaining with Foot Locker Nationals next week before we fully transition into the long awaited indoor track season.