The men’s individual championship race is highlighted by 5 of the top 10 finishers in 2021, but there’s also several first-time NIRCA National attendees that could find their way to the front of the race.

Finishing 2nd in what was a thrilling individual race in 2021 was Eldon Warner of Illinois. Warner’s time in Shelbyville of 24:45 was the 8th fastest ever seen at a NIRCA National Championship. However, the top regional finisher from the Great Plains region that is racing this weekend is actually his teammate, Ethan Forsell (3rd in Great Plains; 26:52). The two teammates will likely be running at the top of the field this weekend, both competing in the battle for the individual championship, and helping to lead Illinois in their bid for a team title.

Cameron Leonard (Northeastern) was 3rd in 2021, and seems to be having an even stronger season in 2022. He dominated the Northeast region, finishing in 24:22 with a 70-second margin of victory. While last year’s race saw a lead pack together until the final couple kilometers, Leonard might be in a position to pull away from the field at the gun this year and improve on his 2021 podium finish.

The second fastest Regional Champion in the field on Saturday is Noah Scott (Indiana; 25:37). Scott is returning from a 10th place finish in 2021 and had a 24-second margin of victory over Jorden Sowash (Michigan; 26:01) at the Great Lakes Regional. Sowash did not compete at Nationals last year, but will need a strong result to help his Michigan team fight for a podium finish in the team competition.

Hayden Marshall (Georgia Tech) placed 1st at the Southeast Regional (25:45) over Ethan Turner (North Carolina, 26:03). While Marshall was 14th last year, Turner is another newcomer to NIRCA Nationals.

The final regional champion that will be on the starting line this weekend is Ethan Brooks (UC-Davis). Brooks finished that race in 26:07, in front of his teammate Frank Ramisch (26:18).

Alexander Horgan of Delaware was 6th last year. While the results from the Mid-Atlantic regional had an unfortunate issue with timing, I believe that he did win his region in a close race over Tim Purcell (Pittsburgh).

Overall, it would be fair to say this race has a solid favorite in Cameron Leonard who will be racing with a target on his back. However, the final 2 podium spots are a lot less clear, and there will be contenders from each region this weekend.

Prediction:

1st - Cameron Leonard, Northeastern

2nd - Noah Scott, Indiana

3rd - Alexander Horgan, Delaware
 

Highest Returning Finishers from 2021

Eldon Warner, Illinois, 2nd

Cameron Leonard, Northeastern, 3rd

Alexander Horgan, Delaware, 6th

Max Petrosky, Notre Dame, 9th

Noah Scott, Indiana, 10th

Hayden Marshall, Georgia Tech, 14th

Ian Lawrence, UC-Davis, 17th

Aaron Gruen, Brown, 25th

Jackson Herndon, NC State, 27th

Dylan Parker, Grand Valley State University, 28th

Vincent Castronuovo, Northeastern, 30th

 

NIRCA Men’s National Champions

Year	Champion	University	Time	Course
2021	Nick Wolk	Pittsburgh	24:41	Blue River XC Course, Shelbyville, IN
2019	Clancy McConnell	UC, Davis	24:52	Pole Green Park, Richmond, VA
2018	Jon Horvath	UC, Davis	25:08	Masterson Station, Lexington, KY
2017	Andreas Lommer	Iowa State	25:29	Forest Akers Course, East Lansing, MI
2016	Rob Scanlon	Iowa State	25:35	Parkview XC Course, Hershey, PA
2015	Rob Scanlon	Iowa State	24:59	Masterson Station, Lexington, KY
2014	Ryan Wells	Indiana	25:36	Forest Akers Course, East Lansing, MI
2013	Gregory Jantzen	Virginia	25:31	Parkview XC Course, Hershey, PA
2012	Joey Murray	Virginia Tech	25:26	Parkview XC Course, Hershey, PA
2011	Andy Weaver	Delaware	23:59	McAlpine Creek Park, Charlotte, NC
2010	Duriel Hardy	Michigan-Ann Arbor	25:24	IU XC Course, Bloomington, IN
2009	Andrew Coates	Michigan-Dearborn	24:55	Eagle Crest Golf Course, Ypsilanti, MI
2008	Matt Flaherty	Indiana	26:54*	Penn State Golf Course, University Park, PA
2007	Keith Laverty	Oregon	26:02	IU XC Course, Bloomington, IN
2006	Brock Phillips	North Carolina	25:44	Lock Haven XC Course, Lock Haven, PA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-Time Top 25 8k Performances at NIRCA XC Nationals

Ranking	Runner	College/University	Time	Course	Year
1	Andy Weaver	Delaware	23:59	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
2	Wallace Campbell	Clemson	24:12	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
3	Michael Frigo	Illinois	24:27	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
4	Janis Teopfer	Texas	24:30	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T5	Nick Wolk	Pittsburgh	24:41	Blue River XC Course	2021
T5	Aaron Silver	Illinois	24:41	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
7	Mason Frank	Iowa State	24:44	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T8	Eldon Warner	Illinois	24:45	Blue River XC Course	2021
T8	Peter Hogenson	Minnesota	24:45	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T8	Grant Johnson	Minnesota	24:45	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
11	Robert McLaughlan	Oregon	24:47	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
12	Sean Sketch	Princeton	24:50	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T13	Greg Jantzen	Virginia	24:52	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T13	Clancy McConnell	UC, Davis	24:52	Pole Green Park	2019
15	Brendan McDonnel	Illinois	24:53	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T16	Cameron Leonard	Illinois	24:55	Blue River XC Course	2021
T16	Andrew Coates	Michigan Dearborn	24:55	Eagle Crest Golf Course	2009
18	Casey Campbell	Oregon	24:57	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T19	Wallace Campbell	Clemson	24:59	Eagle Crest Golf Course	2009
T19	Rob Scanlon	Iowa State	24:59	Masterson Station Park	2015
T19	Joseph Clark	Penn State	24:59	Pole Green Park	2019
T22	Ryan Wells	Indiana	25:05	McAlpine Creek Park	2011
T22	Chris Steenkamer	Maryland	25:05	Masterson Station Park	2015
24	Ryan Jones	Oregon	25:06	Masterson Station Park	2015
25	Colin Zauner	Minnesota	25:07	McAlpine Creek Park	2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Kenney, NIRCA

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