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THE STRIDE REPORT'S
TOP-50 RECRUIT RANKINGS
Welcome back to The Stride Report's top-50 recruit rankings!
In the first 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:
9 / 17 /2025
50
MALACHI BURNETT
SCOUTING REPORT
A FOOT LOCKER XC NATIONAL QUALIFIER WHO HAS ALREADY SHOWN AN UPTICK IN HIS FITNESS IN THE EARLY GOING OF THE 2025 XC SEASON.
COMMITMENT:
LIBERTY
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HIGH SCHOOL:
CREEKVIEW (GA)
SHADES OF:
MAX HARDIN, BEN SHEARER
POTENTIAL FITS:
AUBURN, ALABAMA, GEORGIA
PERSONAL BESTS:
4:11.16 (Mile), 8:34.68 (3k), 9:03.54 (3200), 14:54.73 (5k XC/Track)
49
GRIFFEN SAACKE
SCOUTING REPORT
AFTER A BREAKOUT JUNIOR YEAR, SAACKE HAS BUILT UP A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF MOMENTUM THAT HE COULD FURTHER UTILIZE OVER THE NEXT NINE MONTHS.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
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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)
48
AIDAN NEAL
SCOUTING REPORT
WITH MOST OF HIS PRs COMING AT MAJOR INVITATIONALS, ONE COULD BELIEVE THAT ELEVATED COMPETITION AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL WILL PUSH NEAL TO ENTIRELY NEW HEIGHTS.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
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HIGH SCHOOL:
ALTA (UT)
SHADES OF:
AARON AHL, SAM WORLEY
POTENTIAL FITS:
UTAH STATE, BYU, COLORADO
PERSONAL BESTS:
1:54.95 (800), 3:53.93 (1500), 4:07.41 (1600), 4:08.73 (Mile), 9:08.46 (3200), 15:30.42 (5k XC/Track)
47
JADEN MERRICK
SCOUTING REPORT
AN INSANELY CONSISTENT LOW-STICK ON THE GRASS WHO COULD THEORETICALLY THRIVE AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL WHEN MOVING UP IN DISTANCE.
COMMITMENT:
N/A
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HIGH SCHOOL:
CEDAR FALLS (IA)
SHADES OF:
ISAI RODRIGUEZ, THOMAS POLLARD
POTENTIAL FITS:
BOISE STATE, MONTANA STATE, COLORADO
PERSONAL BESTS:
4:14.79 (1600), 8:55.14 (3200), 14:40.00 (5k XC/Track)
46
NICHOLAS MAZZEO
SCOUTING REPORT
A CONSISTENT UPPER-TIER XC RUNNER WHOSE RECRUITING VALUE IS UNIQUELY BOOSTED BY OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN THE STEEPLECHASE.
COMMITMENT:
PENN
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HIGH SCHOOL:
LOWER MERION (PA)
SHADES OF:
CJ SINGLETON, NATHAN MOUNTAIN
POTENTIAL FITS:
NOTRE DAME, VIRGINIA, GEORGETOWN
PERSONAL BESTS:
4:13.42 (Mile), 8:31.78 (3k), 9:04.00 (3200), 14:40.03 (5k XC/Track), 5:52.04 (2k Steeple)
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