Wayzata girls cross country once again proved why they are the top program in the country, winning their fourth straight Nike Cross Regional (NXR) Heartland championship on Nov. 9. With a mix of speed, strategy, and strong teamwork, they secured another trip to Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) in Portland, Oregon, continuing a streak of success that shows no signs of slowing down. Leading the way was NC State commit Maddie Gullickson, whose first-place finish highlighted both her talents and months of preparation.
From the start, Wayzata ran with focus and purpose. Gullickson quickly took the lead with a pack and maintained her pace through the challenging and snowy 5K course, finishing in a personal best of 16:49.5. Her time reflected both her speed and mental strength. Teammates also ran impressively, showing the depth of the team. Jazleen Malherek-Osario finished 9th in 17:42.7, Miley Clark 24th at 18:07.2, Alissa Ledman 29th at 18:13.7, and Lila Golomb 32nd at 18:20.2. Rounding out the scoring lineup were Addison Neitz at 18:45.5 and Chloe Kissell at 19:27.4, all contributing to the group’s dominant victory.
“Teamwise, we all knew our goal going into the race,” Gullickson said after her victory. “We knew we wanted to win. We all had each other’s back.”
Preparation played a big role in the group’s performance. The Trojans regular season included long runs, tough workouts, and a focus on teamwork. For Gullickson, mental strategy was just as important as physical training. “I prepared myself mentally knowing there were going to be a lot of good girls,” she said. “I had a meeting with my coach about my race strategy, knowing that I was a contender to win but not holding that as an expectation for myself.”
Her approach paid off in the final mile, when she pulled ahead of the pack to cross the finish line alone. “Crossing the finish line as a winner was very surreal,” she said. “I knew I could do it, I just never envisioned myself actually doing it.” While Gullickson’s performance drew attention, the team’s talent and consistency made the win possible.
This championship marks the fourth straight NXR Heartland title for the Wayzata girls, reflecting the program’s focus on talent, preparation, and teamwork. Each runner contributed to the outcome, demonstrating the strength of the squad as a whole.
Looking ahead, all eyes turn to Nike Cross Nationals on December 6th at Glendover Golf Course in Portland, Oregon. With four straight trips to NXN, the girls bring experience and confidence to face the country’s best programs. “I’m so excited for NXN,” Gullickson said. “Excited to see my competition, and hopefully see some of my future NC State teammates.”
The Wayzata boys finished the season with a third-place finish at NXR. Their performance reflected the talent of the program as they faced many competitive teams. Combined with the girls continued dominance, the boys results show that Wayzata cross country is a program capable of competing at a very high level.
Every runner understands the importance of each step, and the team’s culture of supporting each other contributes to their continued success. For the girls, this win was more than just a race, it was a statement. Four straight NXR Heartland titles, Multiple NXN appearances, and a roster full of talented runners show a program built on hard work, unity, and a shared goal.
