Emily Sisson

It's never happened before and it may never happen again, but the 2008 cross country season is shaping up to become one of the most memorable ever. In a rare twist of fate, this year's national meet could host three Foot Locker national champions, as '07 champ Ashley Brasovan, '06 champ Kathy Kroeger and '05 champ Jordan Hasay all come back for their senior seasons, hoping to repeat the magic they've had before in San Diego. All three top our preseason girls top ten, but see who else made the list. (Pictured left by John Herzog: Ashley Brasovan is defending national champion)

A near three hour weather delay slowed down Saturday's portion of USATF Junior Nationals considerably but many prep athletes still competed well, qualifying for the US Junior National team. The best performance of the evening came from Oregon junior Elijah Greer(pictured right by Margot Kelly), who won the mens 800m dash in 1:47.68, a high school U.S. #4 all-time and a junior class record. On the girls side Cydney Ross (MO) and Shanay Briscoe (TX) picked up first place finishes in the 800m dash and high jump respectively. See what else took place on the second of three days in Ohio. Top Saturday Highlights - Elijah Greer (OR) runs U.S. #4 all-time in 800m, 1:47.68 Video - Shanay Briscoe (TX) wins womens high jump in 5-10.75 - Christian Taylor (GA) leaps 52-08 for second in mens TJ - Cydney Ross (MO) runs 2:07.12 to win womens 800m Video Interview - Vashti Thomas (CA) goes 13.62 for second in womens 100mH - Kori Carter (CA) takes second in womens 400mH, 1:00.69 Video Interview - Zachary Mellon (MN) blazes 1:48.64 for second in mens 800m - Dan Block (IL) places second in mens shot put, 62-01.25 - Curtis Beach (NM) makes decathlon squad with 7026 points

What an evening it was in Lisle, Illinois at the fourth annual Midwest Distance Gala. Athletes from over 15 states came to Benedictine University to take part in the unique all-distance event competition. From start to finish the MDG fields put up some great times, concluding with Minnesota's Rob Finnerty (pictured above by Tom Rizzo) winning the boys mile in 4:01.09, U.S. #7 all-time in the event. Finnerty's performance, plus others like juniors Tommy Brinn's (Otsego, MI) 1:51.07 upset 800m victory and Bobby Nicolls' (Regis, CO) 9:03.04 two-mile victory made for quite a night.

Results from around the country keep pouring in and what we've seen so far is mighty impressive. Numerous U.S. top five marks have been established this weekend, starting with Chanelle Price's (PA) big 2:03.98 800m win at the New York Relays Saturday. Following Price's lead, Jacquelyn Coward (TN) (pictured left by Brandon Miles) ran the most impressive hurdle double of the season by winning the 300m hurdles in 41.26 and 100m hurdles in 13.11w at the Volunteer Classic at the University of Tennessee. Read what else took place this weekend. Boys Weekend Top Performances - Roman Holmes (CO) soars 24-05 LJ, 47-03 TJ at Littleton (CO) - Maurice Mitchell (MO) goes 10.40 for 100m at Kansas Relays - Michael Shaw (OH) wins 100m dash in 10.39w at Tennessee - Chris Derrick (IL) runs 8:48.9 for 3200 at Downers Grove (IL) - Germantown Friends (PA) goes 7:47.50 4x8 at CB West Relays - Kenny McClain (FL) runs 37.21 for 300m hurdles in FL - Dan Block (IL) throws 199-08 discus, 63-05 shot put in IL - James White (MO) high jumps 7-00 at Kansas Relays - Kevin Williams (CO) runs 9:02.29 to win 3200m in Kansas Girls Weekend Top Performances - Anna Jelmini (CA) tosses discus 183-11 in CA, U.S.#4 all-time - Karen Shump (PA) throws shot put 47-09 at Great Valley Relays - Kelly McNamee (WA) leaps 5-10 to win high jump at Pasco (WA) - Neely Spence (PA) U.S.#2 4:48.51 at 1600m, 2:15.38 800m in PA - Megan Frausto (TX) leaps 19-03.5 to win long jump at Kansas Relays - Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:03.98 for 800m at the NY Relays - Jacquelyn Coward (TN) goes 41.26 300mH, 13.11w 100mH in TN - Roxi Grizzle (KS) throws javelin 163-11 at Kansas Relays, U.S.#7 A-T - Emily Sisson (NE) wins 3200m at Kansas Relays in 10:25.42