Aidan Troutner, NXN champion in high school, is coming on strong. Last year, his first season back off a mission, he looked mediocre. Now he’s challenging Brandon Garnica for that third spot.

Lucas Bons came out of nowhere for me. Obviously he had great track seasons, but I wasn’t expecting him to be a top five guy in cross-country. In the last race he passed a bunch of people in the last 3K. Being that he’s a mid-distance track guy you worry about his endurance.

Creed and Davin Thompson are showing up as true freshmen who just graduated from high school. I’m scared to rely on true freshmen at Nationals, but they may earn their way as a part of the top seven.

My biggest surprise of the season has been Joey Nokes. He was lightly recruited in high school (4:27 PR in 1600m) and is fresh off a mission. Next season he could easily be in our top five.