WATCH NXR SOUTHEAST LIVE WITH RUNNERSPACE +PLUS SATURDAY

Stella Kermes, a junior and the reigning North Carolina Class 4A state cross country champion, along with Toledo-bound senior and Class 4A state 4x800 winner Lillian Nasta are representing Cuthbertson High at NXR Southeast on Nov. 26 at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C., and they join DyeStat Editor Erik Boal to discuss the quest to become only the third girls program in state history to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 3 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon. Green Hope made appearances in 2010 and 2014, with Cardinal Gibbons qualifying in 2017. Cuthbertson, which won three straight Class 3A cross country titles before capturing the past two championships in Class 4A, became only the fourth girls program in North Carolina to win at least five in a row, joining Cardinal Gibbons, Green Hope and T.C. Roberson, and did so with a classification record 32 points. The girls revisit placing 14th last season at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Huntsville, Ala., and how that added motivation to compete again at a national level this fall and qualify to race at NXN. They examine how meaningful the return to WakeMed Soccer Complex will be for the first time since last year, especially after their opportunity in October was canceled as a result of Hurricane Ian. Nasta explains her rehabilitation and recovery from injury to compete for the first time this season Oct. 6 at the Union County Championships, with Kermes examining how impactful Nasta's presence has been in the Cavaliers' lineup, joining Charlotte Bell, Alyssa Preisano, Justine Preisano, Josie Schihl and Caison Turner in representing Cuthbertson at NXR Southeast. Nasta highlights how much improvement and development Kermes has showcased this season, building on the confidence gained from a Nike Indoor National title as a member of the 4x800-meter relay and a runner-up finish as part of the 4xMile relay at New Balance Nationals in March. Both competitors analyze how significant a role that Cuthbertson coach Kirk Walsh and his family have played in the team's success, and the opportunities that he has helped organize and create for the Cavaliers to compete consistently at a national level. Kermes shares how meaningful it was to join Madeline Hall as the second Class 4A cross country winner in program history, with Nasta analyzing her 10:52.49 effort in the 3,200 meters Nov. 19 at the Dash for Doobie event in Pfafftown as a dress rehearsal for NXR Southeast. Nasta also explains her decision to attend Toledo and how excited she is to help build off the Rockets' appearance Nov. 19 at the NCAA Division 1 final at Oklahoma State. Kermes speaks about the experience Cuthbertson gained Sept. 16 finishing third at the 41st Woodbridge Cross Country Classic at Great Park in Irvine, Calif., and how motivated they are to race against another elite national field Dec. 3 in Oregon.