After winning the D1 CIF-SS Finals, Costa Girls Cross Country team advanced to the state meet and finished second in both Division 1 and overall, earning an automatic qualifying spot for Nike Cross Nationals. The boys team followed with a strong performance of their own, placing third in Division 1 and fourth overall at state, securing an at-large bid to compete at NXN. Both varsity teams entered the national meet in Portland with momentum and confidence, ready to see how they matched up against the top programs in the country on Dec 6.
“It was surreal to see some of the top guys in the country running with us the day before on the course,” said senior cross country runner Krish Desai. “Especially since I knew I was racing with these guys who have been putting up record breaking performances all season.”
The event took place at Glendoveer Golf Course, which featured a wet, challenging layout due to the Portland rain in the days leading up to the race. The girls team handled the conditions well, moving efficiently through packed sections of the course and maintaining strong positioning throughout the race. Their experience from state proved valuable as they navigated the tighter turns and muddy stretches common to NXN. They faced nationally ranked programs from across the country, making this one of the most competitive fields Mira Costa has seen all year.
“I look forward to attending Nike Nationals because it’s a big deal since the entire country comes to compete,” said freshman Diya Kachalia. “It’s a big reward to be able to attend and it feels good to be recognized.”
The boys race featured similar conditions and intensity. The field went out fast, and Costa worked together before spreading out to make strategic moves. They responded well to the course’s elevation changes and the crowded early sections of the race. Despite the depth of the field, the team maintained steady pacing and showed the same consistency that earned them their spot at nationals.
“The biggest takeaway from attending NXN was being able to put all of our hard work from this past season into one final push,” said senior cross country runner Sebastian Lopez. “I am super grateful for this opportunity to compete at this elite event for my final tournament.”
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