2024 Boys Foot Locker Midwest Preview

Leading the way are three returning national finalists from last year: Nebraska's Juan Gonzalez (6th), Colorado's Benjamin Anderson (7th), and Illinois' Ben Crane (8th). Gonzalez and Anderson went on to secure top-10 finishes at the national championship, placing 9th and 10th respectively, while Crane finished 24th.

This year's lineup also boasts several athletes who placed in the top 25 of last year's FLMW championship race. Among the key returners are Indiana's Liam Bauschke (12th), Minnesota's Salvador Wirth (19th), Ohio's Andrew Walton (20th), and Indiana's Noah Bontrager (25th).

Adding to the excitement, University of Wisconsin commit Manny Putz is set to compete. Putz, one of the nation's elite runners, claimed another state cross-country title this fall and placed 5th at NXN last year, solidifying his status as a favorite to contend for the win.

Earlier this season at NXR Heartland, spectators were treated to a thrilling showdown between Putz, Gonzalez, and Minnesota's Robert Merchura. The trio finished within 1.7 seconds of each other, clocking 14:34, 14:35, and 14:36 respectively. Joining them in the FLMW field is the top trio from the NXR Midwest Region: Illinois' Ben Crane and Indiana's Sam Quagliaroli and Noah Bontrager, who finished within six seconds of each other with times ranging from 14:46 to 14:52. Additionally, Colorado's Aiden Le Roux, who placed 5th at NXR Southwest with a blazing 14:30, will also compete.

All seven of these athletes have already secured their spots at NXN and now aim to join the exclusive club of runners who qualify for both NXN and the Foot Locker National Championships. With a top-10 finish required to advance to San Diego, the race is set to be fiercely competitive. Last year, the final qualifying time was 15:12.8, with Thomas Westphal, the 2022 champion, being the only runner to break 15 minutes on the hilly course, clocking 14:59.2.

Check out the top 250 boys' 5K performances from this season below, and stay tuned for full coverage during and after this year's Foot Locker Midwest Regional!

FOOTLOCKER MIDWEST ENTRIES BY STATE