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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 third 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:
4 / 1 / 2026
50
EVAN SPREITZER
SCOUTING REPORT
EVAN SPREITZER IS PARTICULARLY TALENTED AT RACING "UP" AND TAKING DOWN FIERCE COMPETITION IN TACTICAL FIELDS, MEANING THAT HIS RACING IQ COULD BE INCREDIBLY VALUABLE FOR A FURMAN PROGRAM THAT IS LOOKING FOR A FOCAL STAR.
COMMITMENT:
FURMAN
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HIGH SCHOOL:
HOLY TRINITY (FL)
SHADES OF:
AARON WIER, THOMAS VANOPPEN
POTENTIAL FITS:
GEORGIA, OLE MISS, FLORIDA STATE
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:55.69 (800), 3:57.36 (1500), 4:10.83 (1600), 4:12.20 (Mile), 8:24.92 (3k), 8:59.51 (Two-Mile), 14:47.59 (5k XC/Track)
49
JAYDEN LLOYD MCKENNA
SCOUTING REPORT
MCKENNA IS AN ABSOLUTE ACE OVER 800 METERS AND RELIES ON HIS STRENGTH TO CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORM EXPECTATIONS IN THE 1000 METERS, SUGGESTING THAT HE HAS HIGH UPSIDE AS A METRIC MILER FOR A RHODE ISLAND SQUAD THAT IS QUIETLY BUILDING A STRONG MIDDLE DISTANCE CONTINGENT.
COMMITMENT:
RHODE ISLAND
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HIGH SCHOOL:
PEARL RIVER (NY)
SHADES OF:
JASON GOMEZ, CLAYBORN PENDER, JOE MCASEY
POTENTIAL FITS:
PENN STATE, GEORGETOWN, HARVARD
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:50.92 (800), 2:26.47 (1k), 4:02.03 (1500), 4:15.04 (Mile), 9:35.48 (3200), 15:42 (5k XC/Track)
48
NICK SANDERS
SCOUTING REPORT
NICK SANDERS HAS BROKEN OUT IN A HUGE WAY OVER THE MILE DISTANCE THIS WINTER AND HIS FRONT-RUNNING STRATEGY MAKES HIM AN EXTREMELY UNDERRATED PICKUP FOR AN OHIO STATE PROGRAM WITHOUT A STRONG IDENTITY IN THE BIG 10.
COMMITMENT:
AIR FORCE
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HIGH SCHOOL:
ST. XAVIER (KY)
SHADES OF:
AIDAN McCARTHY, TIARNAN CRORKEN
POTENTIAL FITS:
INDIANA, MICHIGAN, VIRGINIA TECH
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:53.81 (800), 4:05.43 (1600), 9:14.02 (3200), 15:01.9 (5k XC/Track)
47
BRADY ANDERSON
SCOUTING REPORT
A STRONG MIDDLE DISTANCE STANDOUT WITH SNEAKY-GOOD STRENGTH, ANDERSON GIVES BOISE STATE A UNIQUE RECRUIT THAT THEY TYPICALLY DON'T LAND DOMESTICALLY.
COMMITMENT:
BOISE STATE
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HIGH SCHOOL:
FAITH LUTHERAN (NV)
SHADES OF:
CAMDEN MARSHALL, IKER SANCHEZ LOPEZ, OWEN KARAS
POTENTIAL FITS:
NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, NORTHERN ARIZONA
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:51.07 (800), 3:55.23 (1500), 4:06.59 (Mile), 9:23.66 (3200), 14:56.70 (5k XC/Track)
46
JOSIAH BOWMAN
SCOUTING REPORT
AN EXPLOSIVE 800-METER SPECIALIST WITH SUB-1:51 SPEED, BOWMAN IS A HIGH-END TALENT WITH ROOM TO DEVELOP HIS LONGER DISTANCES.
COMMITMENT:
UCLA
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HIGH SCHOOL:
SAGE CREEK (CA)
SHADES OF:
JOSH THOMPSON, MARIO GARCIA ROMO
POTENTIAL FITS:
UCLA, STANFORD, TEXAS
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:50.39 (800), 3:54.51 (1500), 4:08.75 (1600), 4:10.16 (Mile), 14:49.60 (5k XC/Track)
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