Brea-Olinda boys to race at NXN without Austin Tamagno,
who is headed to Foot Locker West Regionals

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

With Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker West Regionals being held on the same day in different states, it has made for difficult decisions in recent years for several of California's elite runners since they can't compete in both races.

After winning its first Division III state title Saturday, Brea-Olinda's boys cross country team desired to be represented in both events and confirmed Monday, they will do so.

Austin Tamagno, who captured the Division III individual championship, has decided to compete in the Foot Locker regional seeded race Saturday at Mt. SAC and not accompany his teammates to the 11th annual NXN race at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore.

"We had a great team meeting (Monday). Everyone supports each other," Brea boys coach Jeremy Mattern said. "Despite the different events, the boys feel like they won't really be apart, as they have inspired and challenged one another to be better runners and people. Geography cannot break that bond."

Tamagno is looking to qualify for the Foot Locker National Championships on Dec. 13 in San Diego. In order to do so, he'll need to place in the top 10 in the regional seeded race on the 5-kilometer Mt. SAC course.

Tamagno set the 2.93-mile course record of 14 minutes, 23.2 seconds Oct. 25 at the Mt. SAC Invitational.

Brea and Division II state champion Ventura were California's automatic boys entries to compete Saturday at NXN, with Division II runner-up Jurupa Hills earning an at-large selection.

Great Oak, the Division I state champion, wasn't chosen. The Wolfpack, short-handed in the team's lone loss this season at the Southern Section finals, would have been next in line for an at-large selection among California teams after Jurupa Hills.

Concerns have surfaced about how competitive Brea will be at NXN in Tamagno's absence, putting his teammates under the microscope as they prepare to travel to Oregon.

"We are aware of that and we are not going to let (outside sources) get in the way of our upcoming race plans," Tamagno said. "Brea is going to dominate at both national races."

Had Tamagno not competed in the state final, Brea would have been much lower in the top 10 in the scoring merge among teams in all divisions at the state meet, instead of placing second overall behind Ventura.

"It's championship racing and it matters who runs well that day," Tamagno said. "My team deserves to go and compete for a top 10 spot without me."

Brea did secure the Division III sweepstakes title Oct. 24 at the Mt. SAC Invitational without Tamagno, a race won by Wildcats senior Austin Shellito, who placed sixth in the division at the state final. Tamagno, unbeaten in seven races this season, set the course record the next day in the individual sweepstakes race.