While the girls field features a few clear-cut favorites, the boys field is up for grabs, as the top eight teams are separated by a mere 103 points.  Heading into Nike Track Nationals, Vista Murrieta TC (CA), Loyola TC (CA), Sam Barlow TC (OR), Kentwood TC (MI), Brookwood TC (GA), Brentwood (TN) and Dana Hills (CA), are all in contention to bring home the national title. 

Each of the eight squads has their certain strengths and weaknesses, and the key to any team finishing in the top three is whether or not a few of their athletes can step up and improve upon their season best performances.

While eight teams are in contention, Vista Murrieta TC, Loyola TC, Kentwood TC and Brookwood TC have ranked right near the top all season long.  The consistency and depth of each squad could prove vital on race day, as each squad has a nice mix of talent both on the track and in the field.

Nike Track Nationals was created to establish a clear-cut national team champion, and the closeness of this year’s boy’s field shows exactly why a national championship is needed.  With such close pre-race results, the excitement and level of competition shown at Hayward Field should be at an all-time high.

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