Would the Mohawk standout be able to duplicate those championships in his final prep XC season?
Heading into the first weekend of December, the Penn State recruit left nothing on the table in Pennsylvania, sweeping both titles again and extending his season to check another item off his bucket list.
"NXN has been a dream of mine since I began cross country sophomore year," said Schoedel, whose third-place finish in the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast race on Nov. 23 guaranteed his spot in the NXN finale in Portland, Ore. "I knew I was fit enough to do it, but I was fearful my calf wouldn't hold up for another big race. It has since been trending in a positive direction, so I am excited to race this weekend.
"I made a list of goals for my senior year at the end of last year. This was near the top. I am so proud to represent Mohawk on such a big stage."
The aforementioned nagging calf injury could have derailed the senior's season and opportunity to successfully defend his major titles back in Pennsylvania. Taking a break from training midseason isn't part of any preseason plan, but Schoedel made it work, cruising to convincing victories in the Class A championship races at White Oak Park and Hershey.
"A conservative racing schedule early on has consistently allowed me to run better at national championships ... and states," Schoedel said of being able to add weeks to his XC season and still perform at a high level.
The senior noted that workouts between the regular season finale and his trip to Bowdoin Park for the Nike regional gave his confidence a boost as he readied himself to face top XC runners from seven other states. That was before a flareup in his calf.
"When warming up for the race, I definitely felt my injury, which made me shy going up to the line," Schoedel said. "However, once the race actually started, I quickly slid into position in the lead pack. From there, I regained my confidence by realizing I was running with some of the best guys out there.
"I stayed connected until coming down the big hill after the halfway point. Around 3200 meters, I reconnected with the lead pack, splitting it into smaller groups which eventually opened up my spot for bronze with about 1K to go. From there I just found to keep my position and held on 'til the line."
While he was preparing for the regional, the multi-time WPIAL and state champion committed to Penn State and the Nittany Lions' distance program.
"I chose Penn State because I believe that it is a place and a people that will support me to fulfill the goals I have for myself in this next big stage of my life, both in running and in my academic career." Schoedel said. "Penn State was the most direct in the recruiting process, and they showed me that they valued me as more than just a fast time. I feel that once I am a Nittany Lion, I will be able to turn the passion I have for running into something much faster than I can do on my own as a high schooler now."
Schoedel isn't the only PA runner prepping for the NXN finale after strong performances in the regional at Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Also qualifying for Saturday's boys championship race at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland is the standout team from State College, which dominated the Class AAA race at last month's PIAA state meet.
With brothers Theo and Isaac Oppermann finishing 11th and 14th overall to lead the way, State College - running as Nittany Track and Field - grabbed the second and final team berth with 142 points. National power Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey had just 39 points and a trio in the top 8 overall.
In the regional girls race, Downingtown West's Julia Kelly and Lewisburg Area's Baylee Espinosa earned trips to the West Coast by finishing fourth and seventh overall, respectively, and being in the top five runners not on qualifying teams.