Standout Boys Ready To Go Head To Head At NXN

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

2023 NXN Info | Results | Videos | Photos | Live Webcast | Live Results

The boys championship race at Nike Cross Nationals is shaping up to be incredible once again, with talented contenders coming into Portland from across the country looking to make history. Here is a closer look at the top athletes in this year's NXN final.

Daniel Simmons, American Fork UT

Since a second-place finish at last year’s Nike Cross Nationals, the spotlight has been directly on Daniel Simmons, and rightfully so.

The American Fork senior went on to have an incredible track campaign and has been unbeaten in nine races this fall, including winning his second consecutive Utah 6A state title and Nike Cross Regional Southwest title in a 5-kilometer personal best 14:41.2 on Nov. 18 in Mesa, Ariz.

Already with one national title under his belt from New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the spring in the 2-mile, Simmons hopes to secure his first cross country national title on Saturday in Portland and join the likes of Casey Clinger and Aidan Troutner as the only Utah individual boys to win a Nike Cross National individual title. 

Clinger, also of American Fork, won the NXN finals in 2015 and 2016, so Simmons could add to that legacy as well. 

The BYU commit, ranked No. 1 all season, is also trying to lead American Fork to the team title, something no Utah team has been able to achieve so far.  

Byron Grevious, Northeast Individuals

Byron Grevious, who attends the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, does not run against elite competition as often during cross country season as some others, but last week’s NXR Northeast performance indicates he is every bit as good, if not better, than he was last year when he finished 12th at NXN.  

Grevious ran an impressive 15:32.8 effort last Saturday at Bowdoin Park, winning by 17 seconds and reaching the finish line four seconds faster than he did last year.

Last spring’s Nike Outdoor National champion, a Stanford recruit, nearly broke 15 minutes on a cold and windy day at Glendoveer Golf Course a year ago.

If Grevious were able to pull off the upset against Simmons he would be the first champion from the Northeast region. .

Nathan Neil, Northwest Individuals

Nathan Neil left last year’s Nike Cross Nationals feeling disappointed in his efforts, even if it was his first trip. This year, he’s looking to avenge himself and perhaps do a little bit more.

The senior from Bozeman, Mont. has been on a tear in 2023, winning all eight of his races, highlighted by a 14:45.5 run to win the Montana AA state championship and a 14:49.6 effort to win Nike Cross Regional Northwest by 16 seconds. Both performances were meet records. 

Only three runners from the Northwest Region have ever won the Nike Cross Nationals individual crown (Kenny Klotz in 2005, Kai Wilmot in 2013 and Tanner Anderson in 2014), but no Montana runner has ever accomplished the feat. Perhaps that could change with Neil on the starting line Saturday.

Neil, who is committed to the University of Washington next year, goes into Portland as one of the dark horse picks to win the individual crown, making a big jump from last year’s meet where he placed 25th. 

Evan Noonan, Dana Point CA

Call it a dream season if you will for Evan Noonan of Dana Point. There hasn’t been another California runner more impressive or more consistent this season. 

Noonan’s resume speaks for itself with wins at Woodbridge, the California Southern Section finals and the CIF Division 3 state championships.  

Noonan took a couple of losses this season. He was second to JoJo Jourdon at the Bob Firman Invitational and third to Anthony Fast Horse and Emmanuel Perez at the Asics Clovis Invitational. 

If there’s one runner who could continue California’s individual winning streak, currently at three after last year’s victory by Newbury Park’s Aaron Sahlman, Noonan is the runner to keep it going.

Cameron Todd, Midwest Individuals

Indiana’s Cameron Todd is ready for his biggest test of the year at Nike Cross Nationals in his first appearance in Portland. 

Coming off a lifetime best effort of 14:43.8 to win Nike Cross Regional Midwest, Todd showed true grit and toughness on Nov. 12 at LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute, proving why he belongs in the conversation to win nationals this weekend.

Along with winning NXR Midwest, Todd also has wins at Nike XC Town Twilight on Sept. 30, then a month later at the Indiana State Championships, both at LaVern Gibson.

Glendoveer Golf Course poses a different challenge for Todd and takes him out of his comfort zone. Like recent standouts from the Hoosier state (Cole Hocker was second in 2018, Kole Mathison was fourth last year), Todd has shown the toughness to do well in this national field. Don’t forget, he was sixth in the CHAMPS Sports (Foot Locker) national final last year in San Diego. 

Others to Watch for:

JoJo Jourdon (Utah)  – NXR Southwest runner-up

Emmanuel Perez (California) – California Division 4 state champion

Noah Valyo (North Carolina)  – NXR Southeast champion

Robert Mechura (Minnesota) – NXR Heartland champion

Manny Putz (Wisconsin) – NXR Heartland runner-up