October has yet to deliver on truly cooler race temperatures, but you can tell athletes are benefitting from not having to train in the August heat as the times are getting faster. The first weekend of October always brings some exciting races. We've got one of the biggest in state meets with Asics, but also teams travel out of state for some highly competitive meets all over the southeast. All six of the nominees this week are from very competitive races so not all of them got the win but still put up impressive performances. JAMES MAY put up the second fastest boys time of the season at the Great American XC Festival where he really challenged himself against some of the best in the southeast. ETHAN ASHLEY had one of the most exciting wins you'll ever see in a cross country race as he dove for the win (see video above) at the Alexander / Asics Invitational. SIMON SCHABORT turned some heads with his very quick time at the 18th Annual Darlington Cross Country Festival. CAROLINE HOOD continues to be on a tear this year with another strong showing at Asics. But RUBY LITTLE and GRACE VON BIBERSTEIN both went to North Carolina to run low 18's at Wendy's Invitational and Great American XC Festival. I'm really looking forward to seeing most of these athletes compete this weekend, but first, who won Early October?
Ethan Ashley won Asics in a Diving finish
Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday. Winner will get an interview on Milesplit.