Reigning NCAA Division 1 cross country champion Conner Mantz of Brigham Young, unbeaten in his past nine cross country races since a third-place finish at the 2019 final, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his pursuit of two national titles in the same calendar year after winning March 15 in Stillwater, Okla., when he and the Cougars compete Nov. 20 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. Mantz, who has decided this will be his final collegiate race, is attempting to become the first male competitor to win consecutive Division 1 cross country titles since Edward Cheserek of Oregon from 2013-15. He is also looking to become the first American college athlete to repeat as NCAA cross country champion since Steve Prefontaine of Oregon in 1970-71, along with trying to become the first BYU athlete to secure back-to-back crowns. Mantz reflects on working with Adriaan Wildschutt of Florida State during the March championship race to overcome their early deficit against Wesley Kiptoo of Iowa State and now trying to prevent Wildschutt from winning the individual title on his home course at Apalachee Regional Park. He examines the depth of the field in the 10-kilometer race and how strong the challengers are, including Kiptoo and Wildschutt, and how beneficial it has been to not only race Oct. 15 at Apalachee Regional Park for the NCAA Pre-Nationals, as well as facing all the top competitors during the regular season. Mantz also revisits the 10,000-meter final at the Division 1 championship meet in June at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and being edged by Patrick Dever of Tulsa by a 27:41.87 to 27:42.46 margin. He also analyzes the team competition involving BYU, Northern Arizona, Colorado, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Stanford, and the confidence gained from the Cougars winning Nov. 12 at the Mountain Regional. Mantz explains the motivation present for BYU following a seventh-place finish March 15 in Stillwater and how the Cougars are looking to rebound to return to the podium and contend for another title after winning in 2019. He expresses gratitude for his collaboration with BYU coach Ed Eyestone and the opportunity to share another cross country season with his teammates, in addition to the wisdom provided by Eyestone, along with former Cougars standouts Jared Ward and Clayton Young, as he contemplated transitioning to a professional running career during the summer and fall. Mantz also shares how proud he is of the consistency in his performances throughout his BYU career, as Mantz has finished in the top 10 in every race since May 2019, including racing professionals in the 5,000 and 10,000 finals ine June at the Olympic Trials in Oregon.