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THE STRIDE REPORT'S
TOP-50 RECRUIT RANKINGS
Welcome back to The Stride Report's top-50 recruit rankings!
In our second edition for the Class of 2026, we ranked 50 of America's best boys and girls distance runners, offering "NCAA Comps" (current or past collegiates who we think these recruits mimic) as well as a few "Potential Fits" (possible schools that an athlete should / could consider based on location, skillset and a few other miscellaneous factors).
And just like last time, we have brief scouting analysis for each name who we ranked in this edition of our top-50 lists! Some of that analysis has also been updated for a large number of recruits.
You'll also notice that our rankings feature a combination of middle distance runners and long distance specialists. It's admittedly a challenge to properly gauge recruiting value across different event areas, especially since middle distance talents don't always have the same event flexibility (or three-season value) that longer distance runners do.
When it came to these rankings, we looked at range, postseason success, intangibles, recent progress and, maybe most importantly, personal bests.
Ultimately, hard decisions needed to be made and certain names had to be left off. But don't worry! We'll be offering multiple ranking updates throughout the year.
And to be clear, these rankings are NOT based on how someone did solely during a specific season. In many cases, an athlete may have had a less impressive season in comparison to someone else, but their resume as a whole became more well-rounded or simply remains as the stronger option.
ORDER LAST UPDATED:
1 / 4 / 2026
50
GRIFFEN SAACKE
SCOUTING REPORT
A CONSISTENT STATE-LEVEL PERFORMER, SAACKE HAS A STRONG TRACK FOUNDATION AND ROOM TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD IN THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEASONS.
COMMITMENT:
TEXAS
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HIGH SCHOOL:
BRIDGELAND (TX)
SHADES OF:
ROBERT BRANDT, JOHN DRESSEL, ERIK PETERSON
POTENTIAL FITS:
TEXAS, MISSOURI, NEW MEXICO
PERSONAL BESTS:
4:13.21 (1600), 8:35.47 (3k), 8:58.26 (3200), 9:05.79 (Two-Mile), 14:40.10 (5k XC/Track)
49
MILES LECHTENBERG
SCOUTING REPORT
A BREAKTHROUGH TALENT WHO HAS MADE ONE OF THE BIGGEST YEAR-OVER-YEAR LEAPS IN THE CLASS, LECHTENBERG CONTINUES TO TREND UPWARDS.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
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HIGH SCHOOL:
SIOUX FALLS (SD)
SHADES OF:
CARSON NOECKER, CHRISTIAN DE VAAL
POTENTIAL FITS:
WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:59.87 (800), 4:23.39 (1600), 9:27.91 (3200), 14:32.24 (5k XC/Track)
48
MIKAH PETERS
SCOUTING REPORT
A COMPOSED COMPETITOR WHO HAS SHOWN AN ABILITY TO EXECUTE AND PEAK ON THE SPORT'S BIGGEST STAGES.
COMMITMENT:
IOWA STATE
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HIGH SCHOOL:
BRANDON VALLEY (SD)
SHADES OF:
BIRHANU HARRIMAN, AIDAN O'GORMAN
POTENTIAL FITS:
COLORADO, WYOMING, UTAH STATE
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:55.42 (800), 4:00.26 (1500), 4:15.00 (1600), 4:16.35 (Mile), 9:01.81 (3200), 14:26.79 (5k XC/Track)
47
ELI JARVIS
SCOUTING REPORT
A BATTLE-TESTED TEAM RACER FOR ONE OF THE NATION'S DEEPEST PROGRAMS, JARVIS SHOWED THIS PAST FALL THAT HE HAS AN ABILITY TO THRIVE IN CHAMPIONSHIP ENVIRONMENTS.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
HIGH SCHOOL:
HERRIMAN (UT)
SHADES OF:
ASSAF HARARI, SANTIAGO PROSSER, MYLES HOGAN
POTENTIAL FITS:
BYU, UTAH STATE, NORTHERN ARIZONA
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:54.52 (800), 4:16.98 (1600), 9:17.41 (3200), 14:01.70 (Three-Mile XC), 15:01.12 (5k XC/Track)
46
RYDER KEETON
SCOUTING REPORT
A FLAT-OUT SOLID DISTANCE TALENT WHO FARES WELL ON NATIONALLY COMPETITIVE STAGES MORE TIMES THAN NOT.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
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HIGH SCHOOL:
NIWOT (CO)
SHADES OF:
BARRY KEANE, JOSH METHNER
POTENTIAL FITS:
STANFORD, COLORADO, WASHINGTON
PERSONAL BESTS:
3:57.93 (1500), 4:12.56 (1600), 8:15.94 (3k), 9:00.06 (3200), 14:49.73 (5k XC/Track)
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