Obviously it is a devastating blow to the seniors who are struggling to figure out what they are supposed to be doing after their main goal has been taken. As an adult and a coach, it is easy for me to look at other options or look forward to other seasons. For the athletes who are trapped in a specific time and place for opportunities to occur, it is a really hard place to be. Our boys team would have definitely competed for an NXN title this fall, and it is hard to get teams that are good enough to compete for first up there, so it definitely feels like bad luck or bad timing for those kids.

 

I understand that NXN is a big production with a lot of moving parts, but it definitely feels like this was canceled early, for me. I figured it would be, but I think this is what happens when a company runs it versus something like the NFHS. Politics are definitely at play, and this is the most polarized I have ever seen our country in my lifetime. I'm sure people in the 60s would say that was worse, and maybe it was, but today feels like we have more than just this mindset versus that mindset. There are forces at work behind the scenes in our country that flat out want to destroy it. I think both the left and the right need to recognize that, or cross country won't matter in the future because it won't be here any longer.

 

I don't think we need to lockdown again. I would open up schools and move on. I know that isn't the mainstream point of view, but the kids are in virtually no danger and the adults can take the steps needed to keep themselves safe. Any athletes that want to be online, and any teachers that want to teach online due to age or illness should have the opportunity to do that, but conversely, those of us that want to go back into the classroom and students that want to return to school and sports should have that option. The mental health damage we are doing to our young during this time is something we will pay for, for a long long time...I'm already seeing it in my kids, and that is after four months.

 

 

Sean Brosnan, Newbury Park CA:

I just think Nike made a choice they had to make. Some coaches will cry and complain or even say they had a chance to win or be a first-time qualifier in 2020. However, this is just one hurdle in Newbury Park's way to becoming one of the best programs ever. If anything, it gives us a new outlook and opportunity to become great and a better team of athletes. We have new focus and goals for spring track and cross country 2021. Nike puts on the best high school events ever and we totally respect their decision to put our safety first. 

 

Well, we definitely have a lot of devastated kids right now. On the NXR side of things we have a team qualifying standard where any boy who breaks 19 and any girl who breaks 22 during the season receives an invite to go. It's a special honor for them. For our seniors who've never gotten to go, who had a shot at that this year, my heart just breaks. For our seniors who look back at past NXR trips as the highlight of the season my heart just breaks. 

 

For our girls who were looking for a return trip to NXN: I'm not even sure what I'm feeling right now. We've traded a lot of group texts (Thursday) morning and they're all hurting pretty significantly, especially our returning seniors. They definitely had some big goals when it came to NXR and NXN. I feel like we have an even stronger team this year than a year ago and we were hoping to make some noise. 

 

However, this too shall pass. We'll turn every bit of focus into hoping that our state season happens and we'll do our best to reach the potential that is there. I've talked with a couple of other coaches today who're in the same boat and we'll just keep supporting each other, keep cheering for each other, and keep trying to beat each other. All of these kids are ultimately bigger than these two meets and they'll continue to overcome all of the obstacles that seem to keep getting put in front of them. 

 

But, the biggest disappointment is just for every senior across the country that this news impacted. 

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Weaver, Buchanan CA:

Bill Aris, Fayetteville-Manlius NY:

 

 

Obviously we are extremely sad about not having the amazing opportunity to compete in NXR or NXN this year. It was a wonderful experience that very few athletes experience. I hope these talented athletes can stay motivated and not give up on their dreams. Hopefully we can have the opportunity to compete at this high level again soon. 

 

My girls are obviously really sad and somewhat frustrated but we also understand life hands people some hard things and it’s what we do with the hard things that can make us great.

 

 

The cancellation of NXN was a tough blow for our kids and program. Competing at NXN is a yearly goal for our teams and something our runners have dreamed about since they started running. However, we will focus on trying our best to win a State Championship this season and we will look forward to competing at NXN again soon.

 

I'm bummed. We have some great new freshman girls coming into the program and we have kids coming over from soccer so I thought our girls had a good opportunity to qualify again. I'm particularly saddened for Mateo (Althouse), who had an amazing spring (9:01 solo 3,200) who really wanted to race in front of his "home crowd."

 

With that said, I think it's the right decision. It's unfortunate, but I'm really hopeful that we can get this under control at some point to experience some sense of normalcy.

 

 

Our entire program was understandably disappointed in the announcement. NXR, NXN, and Foot Locker West have always been the proverbial icing on the cake for our program, and I am especially saddened for our seniors who have worked 4 years to get their opportunity to represent their school, community, state, and region at NXN. That being said, our primary goal has always been success at the Utah State Championships, and it currently looks like we'll still have the opportunity for a Fall cross-country season in Utah. We certainly hope everyone can stay virus-free during this coming school year.

 

 

 

Of course we understand and want to keep everyone safe but the news still came as a huge blow. 

The team focuses daily on the joy and fun of running together, and with the loss of that ability in the spring, are grateful for that ability now more than ever. But many of these athletes are also fiercely competitive. They translated the loss of their spring track season into additional motivation to train hard for cross-country this fall. We have two very strong teams (both girls and boys) that were hungry for that chance to earn spots at NXN. They love the opportunity to race the “best of the best” at NXR and NXN, and the loss of that opportunity, though understandable, is incredibly sad and disappointing.  

But like with everything these days, the team will shift our focus and adapt, finding ways to stay positive and make the most of what we do have. Every sad call, text, or email I’ve received about NXR/NXN has ended with an athlete determined to keep running, training hard, and maintaining a sense of team. At the end of the day, these athletes just love to run…and to be together.