It was deja vu all over again at last month's Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis. Ditto at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Oct. 14. Prominent in the lead pack of both races, heading numerous All-Americans and a few recent high school standouts, strode a tall, lanky University of Minnesota athlete. While some up front looked uneasy and just might have been pushing the pace a bit too hard, this guy was obviously running well within himself. He was the real deal. And he was finally back after a prolonged absence.  

The sight was certainly familiar to many, because Hassan Mead is himself a three-time NCAA Division I cross country All-American. But no one had seen Mead racing cross-country for some 22 months, not since his 16th-place finish at the 2009 national meet. Those who had written him off have been sorely mistaken.

Please click the link below to read the full story about Hassan and his journey back to the top.