Every year, a handful of freshmen arrive ready to make an immediate impact on California cross country, and a ton of young talent will give it a real shot at turning the tide.
With the 2026 cross country season set to start on August 16, here is a look at the freshman athletes you need to watch this season. All of these athletes either had excellent middle school or club careers, come from a great family legacy, or are already off to a strong start this summer.
Check out the class of 2030 athletes with the most game-changing potential this fall.
Class of 2030 Girls
School - Yorba Linda | 1600m PR - 4:57.72 | 3200m PR - 10:44.89
Sofia Wroblewski is set to make an immediate impact at Yorba Linda High School after a very successful club career. During her last club cross country season, she finished 7th in the USATF JOs XC 13-14 Championships as the first Californian and ran a 6K in 21:25. Wroblewski recently won the Ryan Bousquet Memorial Run, a high school time-trial in Orange County, with an impressive 18:36.6. Additionally, her sister, Isabella Wroblewski, is Yorba Linda's star runner and a two-time D3 CIF State XC qualifier who finished 5th in the CIF State 800m final this spring.
School - San Clemente | 1600m PR - 5:07.18
Mia Kim has a ton of potential and comes from the same club team, OC Grit, that produced Aidan Antonio, now one of the nation's best distance runners. Throughout Kim's club years, she has proven to be one of the best distance runners in Southern California with countless wins and a 4000m XC personal record of 14:09.03. Her experience will surely help San Clemente's young team that is set to be a contender for the Division 1 CIF Southern Section title.
School - Buchanan | 1600m PR - 5:06.97 | 3200m PR - 11:03.56
If we're counting correctly, this is the fourth Buckley to arrive at Buchanan High School. Two of the Buckley sisters, Knyzlee and Brooklyn, have played key roles in securing the Bears' CIF State XC Championships and qualifying for Nike Cross Nationals. Abigail excelled in the Clovis Intermediate Athletic League, representing her middle school by posting personal records of 5:06 (1600m) and 11:03.56 (3200m).
Rocklin, CA | 1500m PR - 4:44.68 | 800m PR - 2:17.24 | 2026 USATF JOs 800m 13-14 Runner-Up
Although Ava Takeuchi is the least experienced cross-country runner on our list, she could put the entire state in trouble if she runs XC this fall. She boasts impressive personal records of 4:44 in the 1500m, 60.17 in the 400m, 7:25.50 in the 2000m steeplechase, and 5 feet in the high jump. Takeuchi's versatility shows she has the speed, endurance, and strength to become a great XC runner.
Lost Hills, CA | 3000m PR - 9:52.75 | 1500m PR - 4:40.62 2026 USATF JOs 3000m 13-14 Champion
In Kern County, Natali Gregory has emerged as a star in the making by dominating middle school races, finishing 5th at the AAU XC Nationals, and winning the USATF JOs 3000m this summer. Her most impressive personal record is the 3000m (9:52.75), which converts to a 10:36.44 in the 3200m. Gregory is already running times that will be competitive with California's most elite distance runners, making her one of the top freshmen to watch this fall.
Honorable Mentions
Kiyomi Fuertes (Yorba Linda HS), Catherine Gomez (Lakewood, CA), Kimberly Lozano (La Serna HS), Elina Huerta (Albany, CA), Sarah Ramos (Lakewood, CA)
-- Watch Samuel Radtke and many California's incoming freshman race at the Brooks PR Invitational --
Class of 2030 Boys
School - Sage Creek | 1600m PR - 4:17.19 | 2025 USATF JOs XC 13-14 Champion, 4000m - 12:53.3
The San Diego Section may be gaining another distance star in Samuel Radtke, who's already gained national relevance over the past year. Last season, Radtke won the USATF JOs XC 13-14 Championship and the Brooks PR Invitational Middle School Mile, beating the nation's best athletes. He's attending Sage Creek this fall, which has seen significant success in recent years, including Josiah Bowman, who won last year's D4 CIF State XC Championship.
Henry Bartle
Salinas, CA | 1600m PR - 4:27.35 | 800m PR - 2:02.75
Henry Bartle doesn't have the XC credentials of others, but his track times compete with the best incoming freshmen. Last season, he ran 4:27 and 2:02 at the country's biggest invitationals, including Brooks PR and Nike Outdoor Nationals. His biggest win came at the Dublin Distance Fiesta, where he narrowly beat many of his future high school counterparts in Northern California.
Fresno, CA | 800m PR - 1:55.45 | 1600m PR - 4:47.37 | 400m - 49.62
Koda Nedley is a dangerous middle-distance runner who could become an outstanding cross-country runner if he continues to run distance this fall. Last year, he won five of his six races in the Fresno Unified School District circuit, including the FUSD Championships, where he ran an impressive 9:59 for 2 miles. It will be interesting to see whether he chooses to run XC after flexing his speed in the spring, with personal records of 1:55 in the 800m and 49 seconds in the 400m.
San Diego, CA | 800m PR - 2:01.73 | 1500m PR - 4:07.96 | 3000m PR - 8:52.03 | 2026 USATF JOs 800m, 1500m, and 3000m 13-14 Champion
Lukas Derheimer is entering with tremendous momentum, completing the three-peat at the USATF Junior Olympics, where he won the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m this summer. His most impressive victory came in the 1500m, where he won by five seconds over some of the nation's best distance runners. Derheimer is sure to make an immediate impact because of his versatility and national-level experience.
Pleasanton, CA | 1600m - 4:29.43 | 3000m - 8:58.71 | 2025 USATF JOs XC 13-14 Runner-Up
Since 5th grade, Eli Hernandez has been a dominant fixture in national club-level cross country. Hernandez has qualified for the USATF JOs XC Championships for four consecutive years, earning three runner-up finishes and the 11-12 title in 2024. He's also posted great performances on the track, including a 4:29 in the 1600m and 8:58 in the 3000m.
Honorable Mentions
Mark Batres III (Claremont HS), Michael Zuniga (La Mirada, CA), Benjamin Castellanos (Claremont HS), Quincy Rudolph (Loyola HS), Isaiah Wilson (Mt. Carmel), Jacob Nuckols (Ventura HS)
