Thorvaldson, Weaver and David headline strong group of challengers for title, with six returning clubs from last year’s Nike Cross Nationals scheduled to compete for championship Sunday at LaVern Gibson course in Terre Haute

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Three female athletes enter the championship race Sunday at the XC Town USA Meet of Champions, presented by The Garrett Companies, with unblemished resumes and largely untested this season.

Several girls teams are riding the momentum of state titles as they prepare to compete at the LaVern Gibson championship course in Terre Haute, Ind., with other clubs still waiting for their seasons to officially begin.

But just like any other elite cross country competition in the fall, even in a field showcasing more than 30 athletes with past experience at Nike Cross Nationals or the Foot Locker final, there can still only be a single individual champion and one triumphant team.

And during a season that doesn’t conclude with regional or national meets sponsored by Foot Locker or Nike in November and December, securing a victory in a prestigious 5-kilometer race that includes so many prep stars will be a significant moment in the careers of a select few high school athletes.

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“In a time of so much negativity and isolation, having the positivity and unity the running community creates, is crucial,” said Rawlins High senior Sydney Thorvaldson, a four-time Wyoming state champion.

“During this time, I also think running has gained a greater meaning and purpose for runners everywhere. It has been used to prove so much more than just fast times. I am so proud of, and inspired by, the group of women that have such an impact, and also that I have the opportunity to be part of it. Their determination and motivation has influenced me and so many others and I hope that it can continue to be a source of optimism.”

Thorvaldson, an Arkansas commit, took third last year at Nike Cross Nationals and is a three-time All-American, including ninth- and 13th-place performances in her first two trips to Oregon.

Tatum David, a sophomore at IMG Academy in Florida, is the only female athlete in the history of the Nike and Foot Locker national meets to earn All-America honors at both competitions as a freshman.

And Brigham Young-bound Analee Weaver, a senior at Stillwater Area in Minnesota, has been the top runner in Class AA for the past two years along with being a Foot Locker All-American last season.

But after many lopsided victories produced by the trio this season, the opportunity for a career-defining win will be present Sunday in a field that also includes two-time Colorado 5A winner Riley Stewart of Cherry Creek and Michigan Division 1 champion Audrey DaDamio of Birmingham Seaholm, both Foot Locker finalists last year, in addition to Moon Area junior Mia Cochran, who captured the Pennsylvania Class AAA title last Saturday.

“There are no words to describe the gratitude that goes out to everyone who helped make this national meet happen. I know people have spent countless hours making sure that everything can go as smoothly as possible and make the best experience for all the athletes,” Weaver said. “It means a lot to me, especially knowing that this will be my last high school cross country meet ever. I know that all of the other talented girls have been working just as hard this whole season and have put up with numerous complications due to the pandemic. I think this season has taught me more than all of my past seasons combined about work ethic and purpose.

“Everyone deserves a chance to compete against some of the best, and every young woman in the race on Sunday will showcase some form of grit to those around them.”

Weaver dominated the large-school section of the Twin Cities Running Company XC Showcase on Oct. 30 at Island Pine Golf Course in Atwater, a meet that was organized to replace the MSHSL state final, which had been canceled by a 10-8 vote Oct. 1. Although it wasn’t the traditional Class AA championship at St. Olaf College in Northfield, the venue or structure for the event didn’t diminish the achievements for Weaver and the victorious Edina girls team, which is also scheduled to race Sunday.

“We knew that I had signed up to be going to Indiana, but knowing this year, anything could change or be cancelled. We were focused on the moment, and preparing for the showcase the best I could, and now focusing on making sure I stay healthy and feel fresh for Sunday’s race is the priority,” Weaver said. “Sharpening my legs and mentally preparing to compete are the two main targets this week.”

But her primary motivation is to be tested after a season full of record-setting performances chasing only the clock, including the all-time Minnesota 5-kilometer mark Oct. 1 when she ran 16:42.6 at Forest Lake Middle School.

And competing against Thorvaldson, who has run 16:19 this year at the Heritage Classic in Colorado, as well as David – with a 16:33 personal best Oct. 31 at the Boo Run in Sarasota – and her IMG Academy teammate and fellow Foot Locker All-American Carly McNatt, along with NXN All-American Meghan Ford of Jamestown, N.D., four-time NXN qualifier and fellow Minnesota standout Anna Fenske of Farmington, and Foot Locker finalist Ella Borsheim of Bellarmine Prep in Washington is exactly the challenge that Weaver welcomes.

“I am definitely itching to compete against a field of very talented young women this Sunday. I know we all have been experiencing similar situations this year regarding COVID and the limitations that have come with it,” Weaver said. “I am mostly just grateful for the opportunity that this meet has presented. I am grateful that we are able to run, and do so in a safe way for everyone. I expect all those names, and many more, to showcase their best performances, and I plan to put my best out there on the course as well. I am beyond excited, but mostly honored, to be racing against some of the best in the country.”

In addition to the five individual All-Americans returning from last year’s Foot Locker and Nike national finals, six teams will also renew acquaintances after competing in December at NXN.

Edina will be joined by Loudoun Valley from Virginia, represented by The Jungle TC, along with Naperville North from Illinois, Valor Christian from Colorado, and California programs Great Oak – competing as South Temecula – and Newbury Park. The Hornets are one of four Minnesota teams scheduled to compete in the championship race, along with Farmington, Minnetonka and Wayzata.

State champions Brentwood, which captured the Division 1 large school title in Tennessee, and Colorado 5A winner Cherry Creek are also entered, along with the top Indiana girls program in Carmel, which will be joined by third-place finisher Columbus North. IMG Academy, the elite team this season in Florida and winner of the Desert Twilight Festival championship race Oct. 2 in Arizona, completes the field.

“It’s really special to me to know that because I have something to work for that is bigger than just competing in Florida. I would say our whole team is excited to be able to travel out of the state and compete in another race,” David said. “It’s pretty awesome to be able to see so many talented runners (in Indiana), especially this year, since there isn’t a Nike Cross Nationals or Foot Locker.”

Several athletes who have excelled racing in virtual competitions or smaller regional events this fall, with the potential to perform well on a national stage include Emily Van Valkenburg of Eastlake High in Washington, Carmen Alder of Pinecrest High in North Carolina, Zoe Duffus of Fort Wayne Carroll in Indiana, Ciara O’Shea of Madison Central in Kentucky, along with Illinois standouts Josephine Welin of Oak Park High and Ava Parekh of Latin School in Chicago.

But if inclement weather becomes a factor Sunday, Thorvaldson and Weaver could potentially benefit the most, having trained in colder climates with significant wind gusts, in addition to competing in snow throughout their careers.

“It definitely helps a lot with my confidence when I get to a starting line,” Thorvaldson said. “No matter the weather, I feel like I can run in it, so I think that is definitely a little boost.”