Reigning champions and leading contenders Newbury Park XC and Kinetic XC both feature senior twins as part of overall showcase of 12 sister acts, six brother tandems and Wayzata’s Weber family highlighted on both teams racing in Oregon

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

PORTLAND – Not only do Newbury Park XC from California and Kinetic XC representing New York arrive at Nike Cross Nationals as the reigning champions from the last time the event was held in 2019 at Glendoveer Golf Course.

But they also share another common thread by each having twins in their respective lineups.

Siblings factor prominently in 20 of the 44 teams competing Saturday at the 17th edition of NXN, including nine sets of twins. A 10th group of twins, junior brothers Marcelo Parra and Franco Parra, both qualified among the five individual athletes in the South representing TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas.

Wayzata XC Club from Minnesota, which qualified both boys and girls teams from NXR Heartland, is represented by senior Grace Weber and sophomore Will Weber, the only brother-sister combination scheduled to compete.

Leo Young and Lex Young are the top two runners for Newbury Park and the seniors are among the leading contenders to capture the individual title in the boys 5-kilometer championship race at Glendoveer Golf Course.

McKinley Wheeler and Sheridan Wheeler, also seniors, have been instrumental in the success of Kinetic – with athletes from Saratoga Springs – both contributing to the 2019 crown as freshmen and helping the lineup remain the favorite entering the girls championship race.

Nicole Humphries and Samantha Humphries are junior twins from Flower Mound XC in Texas, with sophomore twins Robin Kucler and Wren Kucler competing for Wexford XC of Pennsylvania.

The NXN girls final will also showcase a pair of freshman twins, with Lone Peak XC of Utah featuring Brielle Nilsson and Zoey Nilsson and Knoxville XC of Tennessee – representing Webb School – showcasing Calysta Garmer and Jazzlyn Garmer.

In addition to the Young brothers, two other California entries in the boys championship race also feature twins, with seniors Mark Cortes and Ramses Cortes leading Temecula XC Club – with athletes from Great Oak – and juniors Pierce Clark and Taj Clark competing for San Clemente XC Club.

Joey Ruiz and Josh Ruiz, also juniors, are competing for Miami Havana XC Club, representing Belen Jesuit of Florida.

Stevens Point XC Club from Wisconsin has a lineup in the boys championship race that includes junior Bode Erickson and freshman Cooper Erickson, with Corning XC Club of New York featuring senior Gabe Cornfield and junior DJ Cornfield, as six brother pairings are expected to participate in the final.

Niwot XC Club of Colorado boasts junior Mia Prok and freshman Anna Prok in the girls final, with Waxhaw XC Club from North Carolina – representing Cuthbertson – showcasing senior Alyssa Preisano and junior Justine Preisano.

Michaela Quinn, a junior, and freshman Maggie Quinn are scheduled to compete for Elmhurst XC Club of Illinois – with athletes from York – and Clovis XC Club, representing Buchanan High, is expected to have senior Grace Hutchison and junior Avery Hutchison in its lineup.

Lucas XC Club of Texas, representing Lovejoy High, is led by senior Amy Morefield and junior Sara Morefield, and Los Altos XC Club from California has a lineup highlighted by senior Lauren Soobrian and sophomore Emily Soobrian.

Portland XC Club, with athletes from Jesuit High, boasts senior Maggie Bennett and sophomore Emma Bennett, as a dozen sister tandems are scheduled to compete in the girls championship race.

Although they share the same surname, Anna Bybee and Boston Bybee of Lone Peak XC Club are cousins and not sisters.