As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we revisit the moment voted as #5 by our staff and webmasters.

As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we revisit the moment voted as #6 by our staff and webmasters.

Milesplit chronicles a few of the signature moments for the 2008 cross country season in the first annual XCNATION Year in Review.

  Bryan College added two solid student-athletes to the 2009-2010 recruiting class.  Local standout Alex Stephens of Cleveland High committed to the Lions, while Orlando based senior Jason McLeod of Circle Christian School chose to compete for Bryan as well.  

As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we relive the moment voted as #7 by our staff and webmasters.

As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we relive the moment voted as #8 by our staff and webmasters.

As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we relive the moment voted as #9 by our staff and webmasters.  

As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008.Today we relive the moment voted #10 by our staff and webmasters as well as some other performances deserving of mention.

 The National Scholastic Sports Foundation is pleased to announce the move of its Great American Cross-Country Festival back to Cary, NC. Credited as one of the nation's foremost high school cross-country events, the Great American Cross-Country Festival returns to Cary after a three year hiatus in Hoover, Alabama. Jim Spier, Executive Director of the NSSF said today, "Though we will miss the fine people of Hoover, AL who did a superb job of supporting helping to put on the meet, we are ecstatic to be back in Cary, NC. The Town of Cary and the Raleigh CVB have been super with their cooperation and support."

 Kathy Kroeger, of Independence High School, Franklin, Tenn., is an All-State Cross-Country and Track & Field runner, has set state records for both sports and is ranked No. 1 in her class. In addition to excelling academically as a National Merit Semifinalist and receiving Student of the Year honors in two classes, Kathy has lettered in Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field and Cross-Country.     

  The race started and I probably got out a little to fast. I just felt like I was sprinting. I hit one mile right were I wanted to be, in the top 12. Around the turn after the hill I topped the top ten. After that at about a mile and a half is where I really started to drop back. I really started to speed up and slow down paces, which ultimately is why I think I didn’t have anything towards the end. All and all I think I am a better runner than 21st. No excuses--I just had a bad race, but I made it and that is an accomplishment in itself.

  When we got to the meet Friday, the atmosphere was awesome. There were cameras everywhere, a jumbo-tron and announcer, and even cheerleaders! I warmed up with Matt, Alex Ott, and Thomas Porter while watching the girls race, which was incredible. About 20 minutes before the race, they lined everyone up and did introductions. They sent us out one-by-one, calling out everyone's names and their accomplishments. Lining up at the starting line, I thought about how many Olympians, All-Americans, and national champions had lined up at the same line at one point in time, and it was something I'll always remember. A cannon started the race, and it got out pretty quick.

   Its amazing how your goals can change in 7 years, from not wanting to lose to the girls to wanting to get top 10. Coming into this cross-country season the goal was top 10. After the horrible track season I had, I knew I had to bounce back. During the summer I basically only did mileage sprinkled with some tempo runs. I peaked at around 72 miles (yes very random number), and held that through the first two meets of the season. All and all the high school season was “ok.” I thought I should have done better in the national meets, but otherwise it was a pretty solid season. I was really thrilled to finally win a state title after two years of Sean hammering me into the ground. (Yes Sean you hammered me.) I also think that was good for me in a way. It taught me how to compete and made me rise to another level, so I thank him for that. 

Catch all of the action from the 30th Foot Locker Cross Country Championships live right here on MileSplit. Live coverage from Balboa Park begins around 8am ET on Saturday, December 13.

Race video from the championship boys at the 2008 Nike Cross Nationals held Saturday, December 6th in Portland, Oregon.  

Championship girls race video from the 2008 Nike Cross Nationals held Saturday, December 6th in Portland, Oregon.

Ashley Brasovan, Bobby Nicolls, Doug Smith and Jordan Hasay are four of the best cross country runners in the country this fall, and they've each signed up to share their journey throughout the fall in our seasonal feature.

Five new teams joined the rankings this week, the most newcomers in a single week since the rankings were still in diapers very early in the season. Both coasts flexed some muscle as teams from New York and California made strong cases that they are among the best in the nation.

  We came to San Diego Thursday morning, and spent most of the day hanging out at the hotel. It's kind of funny how all the regions hang out within their team, and I've found myself spending a lot of time around the guys from the South. But they do mix up the regions with room assignments, so I'm rooming with Joe Whelan from New York. It's weird how you read about all these guys on dyestat all year, but everyone's cool and running is about the last thing people are talking about.

   Greatings from San Diego! I am currently writing this blog from the game room at our hotel. Speaking of the hotel. This is the nicest hotel I will probably ever see. Right along the beach, there's an outdoor ice skating rink, outdoor pool and many more. Not to mention its supposively haunted. Room 3227, but that's neither here nor there.