IR TOP 50 BOYS PRESEASON RANKINGS!

Our annual preseason rankings have begun! You have anxiously been awaiting our early look into the best high school cross country teams in Indiana...your wait is over! We will release 10 new teams each week, counting down to the preseason number 1 team! Who will it be? Where will your team rank? Check back frequently to find out!

#36 – Northridge Raiders

New Prairie Regional #6

State meet history: 18 appearances (last in 2025), 6 podium finishes (last in 2025), 1 state championship (2004)

2025 Results:

Goshen Sectional: 1st place (29 points)

New Prairie Regional: 1st place (50 points) 

IHSAA State Finals: 5th place (183 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Regional)

Milo Bullaro (12) - 15:59 (11th place)

Fernando Gutierez (11) - 16:29 (27th place)

Landon Swathwood (11) - 18:17 (150th place)

Connor Yutzy (12) - 18:24 (158th place)

2026 Outlook: The Raiders had its best team in school history by the advanced stats, finishing on the podium for a second consecutive season. This year’s team is hit hard by graduation but could still be competitive enough to advance from the New Prairie Regional. Senior Milo Bullaro should be a frontrunner at the regional level, and junior Fernando Gutierez improved a lot last year while also running his best race at the state finals to help the Raiders claim medals. Northridge will bring in one of the best freshman in the state who looks to make an instant impact, and junior Zach Haygood (4:45 over 1600 meters this spring) could be a scorer if he were to run this fall.

#37 - Northwestern Tigers

Brownsburg Regional #11

State meet history: 2 appearances (last in 1971), 2 podium finishes (last in 1971), 2 runner-up titles (1970, 1971)

2025 Results:

Logansport Sectional: 2nd place (61 points)

Brownsburg Regional: 14th place (373 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brownsburg Regional)

Mason Broeker (12) - 16:18 (62nd place)

Bryan Burkhalter (12) - 16:41 (84th place)

Isaac Everson (12) - 16:48 (93rd place)

Colen Lechner (10) - 16:51 (96th place)

Mitchell Schmidt (10) - 17:46 (175th place)

Henry Neher (12) - 17:50 (180th place)

2026 Outlook: The Tigers had their best team in school history last year by a wide margin and return six of those seven, setting the stage for a potentially memorable season. It is possible that senior Mason Broeker continues to progress and gets in the mix to qualify individually out of the brutally competitive Brownsburg Regional. It is also in the realm of possibility–1.5% chance, per inccstats’ preseason rankings–that Northwestern breaks its 35-year drought from the state meet. Realistically, the Tigers look to be one runner shy of making a more serious push for Terre Haute; perhaps that athlete is already on the roster and getting in a great summer.

#38 – Evansville Memorial 

Crawford County Regional #7

State meet history: Never qualified

2025 Results:

Mater Dei Sectional: 3rd place (93 points)

Mater Dei Regional: 12th place (352 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Mater Dei Regional)

Landon Hartman (12) - 16:01 (23rd place)

Andrew Foster (12) - 16:25 (41st place)

Samuel Foster (10) - 17:47 (133rd place)

Mason Scroggins (10) - 17:53 (138th place)

Lucas Hirsch (12) - 17:57 (143rd place)

Meyer Hermann (10) - 17:59 (146th place)

2026 Outlook: The Tigers bring back a very solid with six of the seven from a group that raced three freshman at the regional level. With the typical sophomore jump from that trio–and it’s possible that Memorial races four sophomores in the top seven this fall–and good leadership from seniors Landon Hartman and Andrew Foster, the Tigers should be right in the mix to advance in the new Crawford County Regional. Given the resurgence of running talent, it is possible that the Evansville area gets multiple boys’ teams to Terre Haute this season.

#39 – Ben Davis Giants

Brownsburg Regional #12

State meet history: 26 appearances (last in 2025), 7 podium finishes (last in 1996), 1 runner-up title (1996), 4 state championships (1961, 1989, 1990, 1995)

2025 Results:

Ben Davis Sectional: 3rd place (74 points)

Brownsburg Regional: 5th place (164 points)

IHSAA State Finals: 17th place (382 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brownsburg Regional)

Lewis Claxon (12) - 16:29 (74th place)

Tsenat Hailu (11) - 17:21 (146th place)

Salama Bitwenge (12) - 17:36 (167th place)

2026 Outlook: The Giants have made the state finals the past two years, the most recent of which seemed unlikely after losing a key athlete to a nearby school as a transfer. Advancing out of the brutally competitive Brownsburg Regional this year would be BD’s greatest feat in this current era. While highly unlikely–inccstats.com gives the Giants less than a 1% chance based on projections of each team’s returners–Ben Davis has shown a great ability to develop runners over time and find scoring from both improvement and newcomers. 

#40 – Bloomington South Panthers

Crawford County Regional #8

State meet history: 33 appearances (last in 2025), 3 podium finishes (last in 2018)

2025 Results:

Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 2nd place (68 points)

Mater Dei Regional: 5th place (224 points)

IHSAA State Finals: 25th place (638 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Mater Dei Regional)

Daniel Damico (11) - 16:54 (63rd place)

Oliver Moore (11) - 17:01 (73rd place)

Garrett Pitkin (12) - 17:12 (82nd place)

Jack Taylor (12) - 17:14 (85th place)

Matthew Zinkan (12) - 17:18 (94th place)

2026 Outlook: The Panthers returned to Terre Haute after a brief absence in 2024. With five of seven back this year, South could be in the mix with a pack-running group, but the athletes they lose at the top of the lineup will make that much more challenging. In addition to the returners listed above, senior Luke Reinhart missed the tournament after serving as a scorer for much of the regular season while senior Isaiah Dilger looked like he returned to his usual form in the track season after an abbreviated fall. The southern regional will be pretty strong this season, but the Panthers could coalesce and advance.

#41 – Silver Creek Dragons

Crawford County Regional #9

State meet history: 7 appearances (last in 2015), 1 podium finish (1990), 1 runner-up title (1990)

2025 Results:

Crawford County Sectional: 3rd place (99 points)

Mater Dei Regional: 6th place (226 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Mater Dei Regional)

Trey Smith (12) - 16:07 (26th place)

Dane Neafus (11) - 16:49 (55th place)

Owen Tolliver (10) - 17:24 (101st place)

Jacob Baggett (11) - 18:04 (152nd place)

Cooper Day (10) - 18:09 (158th place)

2026 Outlook: The Dragons were so close to the state finals last year, and this year’s team will be harder pressed to advance, though it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. Senior Trey Smith once again gives Silver Creek frontrunning. He has certainly shown an ability be at an All-State level. Sophomore Owen Tolliver made great progress in the track season, running 10:01 over 3200 meters. With other big improvement through the lineup or some other talented newcomers, the Dragons could find themselves firmly in the mix for advancement.

#42 – Goshen RedHawks

New Prairie Regional #7

State meet history: 11 appearances (last in 2025), 1 podium finish (1976)

2025 Results:

Goshen Sectional: 2nd place (79 points)

New Prairie Regional: 4th place (159 points)

IHSAA State Finals: 20th place (512 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the New Prairie Regional)

Levi Schlegel (12) - 16:01 (12th place)

Jesse Sawatzky (11) - 17:05 (47th place)

Ciaran Deegan (12) - 17:20 (67th place)

Christian Ramirez (12) - 18:06 (132nd place)

2026 Outlook: The RedHawks qualified for three consecutive state meets then missed two before breaking that mini-skid last fall. Goshen could earn back-to-back trips to Terre Haute this fall. Senior Levi Schlegel is a good frontrunner, and his finish at the regional could aid the ‘Hawks in scoring four. In addition to Schlegel, senior Christian Ramirez displayed a lot of improvement in the track season and could play an increased role as Goshen looks to return to state.

#43 – Valparaiso Vikings

New Prairie Regional #8

State meet history: 50 appearances (last in 2024), 20 podium finishes (last in 2017), 1 runner-up title (2005), 6 state championships (1966, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1997, 2000)

2025 Results:

Chesterton Sectional: 2nd place (42 points)

New Prairie Regional: 9th place (261 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Regional)

Layne Galindo (11) - 16:57 (43rd place)

Liam Anderson (12) - 17:16 (64th place)

Owen Anderson (10) - 17:53 (106th place)

Manny Jasicki (10) - 17:57 (117th place)

2026 Outlook: The Vikings bring back a solid group that missed last year’s state meet but could be in the mix in the New Prairie Regional. A young team that projects better a year from now, Valpo has one of the best traditions in the state and one of the larger rosters in the northwest (43 participants last school year). Even without an established frontrunner, a combination of coaching and easier tournament path could get the Vikes back into the state meet after just a one-season hiatus.

#44 - Lakewood Park Christian Panthers

Manchester Regional #5

State meet history: Never qualified

2025 Results:

West Noble Sectional: 3rd place (102 points)

New Haven Regional: 13th place (322 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Regional)

Zander Ritenour (12) - 15:29 (2nd place)

Kellen Warner (12) - 17:13 (62nd place)

Jake Dulin (11) - 17:54 (126th place)

Jaden Zeigler (12) - 18:06 (147th place)

Jonny Fike (10) - 19:55 (234th place)

2026 Outlook: The Panthers are one of the most interesting teams entering this fall. Senior Zander Ritenour helps Lakewood to score four every meet; he has been All-State in both the 1600 and 3200 during his high school career while also finishing 12th at last fall’s state cross country meet. That sort of security at the top of the lineup is huge, especially in the Manchester Regional which looks to be open in terms of advancing to the state meet. Unsurprisingly, Lakewood (enrollment: 218) is not a very deep team. A big summer of training among their returners could propel the Panthers to Terre Haute as a group.

#45 – Pendleton Heights Arabians

Franklin Regional #11

State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2017)

2025 Results:

Noblesville Sectional: 5th place (151 points)

Shelbyville Regional: 12th place (343 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Regional)

Connor Weflen (12) - 16:06 (27th place)

Henry Corbin (12) - 17:28 (117th place)

Luke Sellers (11) - 17:34 (125th place)

Thaxon Carpenter (10) - 17:44 (142nd place)

Ryder Engelhardt (12) - 19:21 (212nd place)

2026 Outlook: The Arabians bounced back from an early exit in the 2024 tournament to advance to the regional last fall. The path will continue to be the most difficult in the state, but Pendleton could potentially advance out of the sectional again this season. Senior Connor Weflen should get the scoring off to a good start; he qualified for the state meet individually in cross country then ran 4:26 over 1600 meters in the spring. Perhaps senior Ryder Engelhardt will see a big jump on the grass after qualifying for the state meet in the 800.

#46 - Norwell Knights

Manchester Regional #6

State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2000), 2 podium finishes (last in 1982), 1 runner-up title (1978)

2025 Results:

Delta Sectional: 1st place (44 points)

New Haven Regional: 7th place (274 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Regional)

Maddux Thornton (10) - 17:05 (52nd place)

Gage Reinhard (12) - 17:06 (53rd place)

Hudson Petrie (11) - 17:26 (75th place)

Easton Reinhard (10) - 17:52 (121st place)

Nathan Dupre (12) - 18:32 (181st place)

2026 Outlook: The Knights return five from a team that finished two spots but many points from advancing to the state meet. This year’s group looks capable of contending for a spot in Terre Haute, especially in the Manchester Regional that projects to be wide open among several teams after the top four teams. Norwell doesn’t project to have a stellar frontrunner; a talented newcomer to help with scoring could really turn the tables in the Knight’s favor.

#47 - Oak Hill Golden Eagles

Manchester Regional #7

State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2005)

2025 Results:

Marion Sectional: 2nd place (71 points)

New Haven Regional: 12th place (320 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Regional)

Wyatt Hart (12) - 17:07 (56th place)

Joshua Clark (11) - 17:16 (66th place)

Cooper McQuiston (10) - 18:12 (156th place)

Eli Leak (12) - 18:13 (158th place)

Bret Hueston (11) - 18:20 (166th place)

2026 Outlook: The Golden Eagles could make the jump from relative obscurity to contending to advance to the state meet. Oak Hill does return five of seven from a sectional runner-up team, and will almost certainly get a bump from a newcomer whose track times last spring place him at nearly an All-State level as an eighth-grader. The returners seem quite a ways back from pushing for the state meet as a team, but if the Eagles can score four rather than five at most meets next fall that could drastically change the calculus.

#48 – Lake Central Indians

New Prairie Regional #9

State meet history: 18 appearances (last in 2024), 2 podium finishes (last in 1983), 1 runner-up title (1982)

2025 Results:

Highland Sectional: 2nd place (67 points)

New Prairie Regional: 8th place (223 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Regional)

Lucca Neves (11) - 16:06 (14th place)

Trevor MacFarlane (10) - 17:42 (92nd place)

Vincenzo Pamilia (10) - 17:56 (116th place)

Patrick Grady (11) - 18:00 (122nd place)

2026 Outlook: Lake Central missed the state meet last year after three consecutive qualifications, and longtime frontrunner Ben Perschon will be missed at the top of the lineup. This is a team capable of making a push out of the New Prairie Regional, though. Junior Lucca Neves, a move-in last school year, had an excellent sophomore season in which he finished 32nd at the state meet in cross country and 11th in the 3200. His frontrunning helps LC to score four at the regional, and a young squad behind him could be ready for Terre Haute a year earlier than projected.

#49 – Fort Wayne Snider Panthers

Manchester Regional #8

State meet history: 15 appearances (last in 2011), 3 podium finishes (last in 2004)

2025 Results:

New Haven Sectional: 5th place (114 points)

New Haven Regional: 8th place (282 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Regional)

Darren Palmer (10) - 17:17 (70th place)

Raiden Boone (11) - 17:38 (95th place)

Tzin Quintana (10) - 17:50 (117th place)

Elijah Barton (12) - 17:53 (124th place)

Lucian Sipe (11) - 18:18 (164th place)

2026 Outlook: The Panthers have not qualified for Terre Haute since 2011 but a combination of young talent and an easier tournament path could put Snider in the mix. With five of last year’s seen returning, the Panthers could be led by super sophomores Darren Palmer and Tzin Quintana, both of whom ran under 10:00 for 3200 meters last spring. Assuming a big jump in performance that typically comes in tenth-grade, that duo could lead Snider to contend for one of the five spots out of the Manchester Regional.

#50 – Brebeuf Jesuit Braves

Brownsburg Regional #13

State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2022), 5 podium finishes (last in 2021), 1 state championship (2021)

2025 Results:

Ben Davis Sectional: 7th place (166 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Ben Davis Sectional)

Beck Biggerstaff (11) - 16:57 (25th place)

Lance Eble (12) - 17:19 (32nd place)

Ollie Haug (12) - 17:28 (35th place)

Boston Christy (12) - 17:31 (38th place)

Mackie Skinner (12) - 18:03 (48th place)

2026 Outlook: The Braves return a good amount from last year’s team, but they have one of the toughest paths through the tournament, as evidenced by their finish at the sectional level. This season’s group should be more competitive, with junior Beck Biggerstaff and senior Ollie Haug leading the way. Haug had a solid track season, scoring in both the 1600 and 3200 at the sectional level before opting to compete in just the 3200 at the regional.