Hi again everyone, as usual first off a big congrats to everyone who's participated in the state meet and finished their season strong. Every runner seeking a few extra post season meets asks the question "Foot Locker or NXN." Some people perhaps don't have an option or find it an easy decision, but for me as well as many other runners I know this is a highly debated topic.
History
Foot Locker: Previously known as the Kinney Cross Country Championships and started in 1979, the now modern day name "Footlocker Cross Country championships" are held each year at Balboa Park in San Diego California and is the longest running national High school cross country race.
Nike: Nike Cross Nationals, formerly known as "Nike team nationals," was first introduced in 2004 and since than has seen many changes such as the added individual qualifier element and the most recent being a change in the course.
Qualifying Structure
Foot Locker:
- 4 Different regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West)
- Top 10 individual finishers in each
Nike:
- 9 different regions (Northwest, Heartland, Midwest, Southwest, South, Southeast, Northeast, New York, and California*)
- Top 2 Teams, and Top 5 Individuals entries
- 4 "At large" team bids
- *California's qualifiers are determined by their state meet
Positives Of Attending Foot Locker (In My Opinion)
- More "prestigious" due to longer history
- More competitive field due to higher focus on individuals
- Faster "south" region course
- Nationals are in Cali, often good weather
- More races and options for less "elite" runners
- Top 10 Individuals in the elite race qualify
Positives -Of Attending Nike (In My Opinion)
- Team aspect is great for, well, teams
- Because of this team aspect it may be easier to "sneak into" nationals as an individual
- Nike is Nike
- Qualifying for nationals means lots of free stuff
- Not all like this, but faster course
- Getting to meet the elite Nike athletes in person
Overall both are great options and like any debate there isn't a "right" answer. I hope this helps some less informed people and gives anyone that was on the verge of deciding one way or another a reason to pick one.
