The Loudoun Valley Vikings and Blacksburg Bruins are headed to Portland to run in the Nike Cross Nationals. This is Valley's second trip out to Portland and Blacksburg's 6th in a row. Blacksburg was 17th last year while Valley won the title with a historic low 89.
Both teams enter the meet having peaked at the right time. This means they are both ready for some great performances in Oregon.
Blacksburg seems like a middle of the pack team this year at NXN but could sneak inside the top ten with a great performance from one of their middle runners.
Loudoun Valley on the other hand is the odd-on-favorite to win the title again. Temecula TC (Great Oak, Ca.) looks to be their toughest competition but was sixth a year ago and return only half of their runners. If Loudoun Valley runs like they have been then it won't even be close. They must though have at least an 80% perfect day to win the title.
Individually looking for an All-American finish are Sam Affolder (LV) and Kaitlynn Wolfe (B).