Jordan Banta, a sophomore at Air Academy and a member of the two-time Colorado Class 5A state champions along with a Nike Cross Nationals qualifier last season for seventh-place Kadet AC, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Nov. 18 in the girls championship race at the Nike Southwest Regional at Coyote Run Golf Course at Leisure World in Mesa, Ariz. Banta placed 40th last season at NXR Southwest to help Kadet AC take third overall and earn an at-large berth to compete at NXN, where she finished 95th at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon. Banta was one of 10 freshmen at NXN last year to place in the top 100 overall. Kadet AC, and fellow Colorado lineup REAL Training (Niwot), along with Lone Peak XC from Utah are the top three girls programs in the country entering the regional championship race.

NXR SOUTHWEST WILL BE LIVE ON RUNNERSPACE ON SATURDAY, NOV. 18 (+PLUS required)