Washington cross country is loaded with returning champions and rising contenders in 2026. Here are the athletes to watch, from the fastest state meet returners to the stars expected to headline The Mook and Hole in the Wall.
Defending State Champions
1A Girls: Reed Atwood (South Whidbey, Soph) - 18:51.70
1A Boys: Oliver Zimmerman (Cedar Park Christian, Jr) - 15:22.9
3A Girls: Sophia Rodriguez (Mercer Island, Sr) - 17:24.00
3A Boys: Mana Voss (Central Kitsap, Sr) - 15:09.20
4A Girls: Aubrey Wilems (Eastlake, Jr) - 18:06.40
1B/2B Girls: Grace Walsh (Manson Secondary School, Soph) - 18:22.00
2B Boys: Waylon Stoneburg-Schafe (Cle Elum, Jr) - 15:40.80
1B Boys: Kevin Hu (Pope John Paul II, 16:38.70) - 16:38.70
Fastest State XC Championships Returner
Girls: Sophia Rodriguez (Mercer Island, Sr) - 17:24.00
Boys: Quenton Lanese (Olympia, Soph) - 15:05.40
Most Anticipated Regular Season XC Meets
Last year, The Mook XC Invite essentially broke the MileSplit rankings with ridiculously fast 5K times. Here are the fastest boys and girls from last season who are eligible to return to the same course.
Girls
Sophia Rodriguez (Mercer Island) - 1st last year, 16:10
Sloane Clines (Sehome) - 4th last year, 17:05.00
Kjirsten Ludeman (Sehome) - 5th last year, 17:11.20
Boys
Miro Parr-Coffin (Gonzaga Prep) - 2nd last year, 14:29.60
Oliver Zimmerman (Cedar Park Christian) - 6th last year, 14:35.30
Reuben TeVelde (Meridian) - 14th last year, 14:52.10
Nike Hole In the Wall - OCT 10, 2026
For years, the NIKE Hole in the Wall XC Invitational has been one of the premier XC invitationals in Washington. Last year, served as a preview to the Washington state championships, and we expect the same this October.
Girls
Kjirsten Ludeman (Sehome) - 3rd last year, 17:19.20
Aubrey Wilems (Eastlake) - 4th last year, 17:19.90
Lil Desler (Sehome) - 7th last year, 17:38.60
Boys
Mana Voss (Central Kitsap) - 3rd last year, 15:50.30
Oliver Zimmerman (Cedar Park Christian) - 8th last year, 14:59.70
Josiah Capusan (Cedar Park Christian) - 19th last year, 15:13.50