2025 Cross Country Previews: Middle School Boys Individuals

The season is just around the corner, with IESA’s first official practices kicking off on August 4th. These rankings highlight the top 25 runners entering the season, based on all performances prior to July 1st—meaning Detweiller at Dark results are not factored in.

1. Lucas Pfoutz (8th, Mt. Prospect [River Trails]) 

Arguably the best track campaign from any seventh grader this year belongs to Lucas Pfoutz, who enters the middle school rankings at #1. Pfoutz accomplished feats that many high schoolers only dream of. With a stunning 4:33 PR in the 1600, he placed fourth at the middle school division of Festival of Miles. His 800 PR of 2:05.12 is equally impressive, earning him the 4A state championship in both events. Even in the 3200—an event not supported by the IESA—he posted a strong 10:35, signaling big things to come this cross country season. Last fall, Pfoutz was still developing with an 11:10 PR and a 28th-place finish at the 4A state meet running 11:22, but expect him to slice well under that time this year. His track times are the strongest of any middle schooler, but the true test awaits on the grass. The jump to 3A competition at the state meet will be a challenge, yet Pfoutz is more than ready to contend for the title. Big things lie ahead—this could be a historic season for Lucas Pfoutz.

2. Ethan Otto (8th, Eureka)

One of the biggest surprises in the middle school running scene this spring was the eye-popping performance of Ethan Otto. Otto dominated every track event he entered, going undefeated across the board. At the 3A state meet, he blazed to a 2:05 victory in the 800, securing a state title, then backed it up with a 4:38 win in the 1600—another 3A crown. As a key member of Eureka’s 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams, Otto’s explosive speed helped power both squads to victories, fueling Eureka’s overall team championship with 55 points.

Otto’s incredible range—from sprint relays to distance dominance—makes him a formidable athlete once cross country season arrives. Last fall, he was disappointed not to match his PR at the state meet, finishing about 40 seconds slower than his best. This year is all about redemption, and he’s primed to unleash a massive PR in the 2-mile. Paired with Lucas Pfoutz, Otto will be in the thick of the 3A state title chase. The rivalry promises to be electric, and regardless of the outcome, Ethan Otto is set for a breakout cross country season that you won’t want to miss.

3. Bentlee Lawrenz (8th, Rock Falls) 

Rock Falls’ standout, Bentlee Lawrenz, is locked and loaded for a big season ahead. After a stellar track campaign, he posted impressive PRs of 2:08 in the 800 and 4:40 in the 1600—finishing as the 3A runner-up in both events, only bested by the exceptional Ethan Otto. Bentlee also contributed to Rock Falls’ 5th place 4x200 relay team, which clocked a solid 1:46. With a build and versatility similar to Otto’s, Lawrenz excels across sprint and distance events, making him a rare and valuable athlete.

His progression since last track season has been remarkable, and he arrives as one of the biggest threats in this year’s cross country scene. After placing 12th in 3A last year with an 11:10 two-mile, expect Bentlee to shatter that time this fall. He’ll be mixing it up with Ethan Otto and Lucas Pfoutz in a thrilling 3A state title chase—one of the most exciting rivalries to watch this season.

4. Chris Bennie (8th, Deerfield [Caruso])

The final key contender in the 3A state race is Chris Bennie, who faces some work if he wants to claim the title. While his track season didn’t quite match the standout performances of those ahead of him, his dominance on the cross country course last fall can’t be overlooked. Bennie absolutely obliterated many top names with a personal best of 10:18 in the two-mile. At the 3A state meet, he secured a strong second-place finish in 10:33, only trailing the highly regarded Ethan Carter of Dixon High School.

Notably, Bennie finished nearly 40 seconds ahead of Bentlee Lawrenz—the highest finisher from this list at the state meet—giving him a substantial head start on his top rivals. However, that lead might have shrunk after a competitive spring season. On the track, Bennie posted solid PRs of 4:53 in the 1600 and 2:17 in the 800, finishing third in the 3A 1600 behind Ethan Otto and Bentlee Lawrenz by a significant margin.

Though the gap in track times might seem discouraging, his fall form last year was nothing short of exceptional. If Bennie can replicate that performance, he’ll remain a serious threat among the elite in 3A. This year’s 3A state race is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling battles we’ve ever witnessed, and Bennie will be a pivotal player in that story.

5. Jacob Calvario (8th, Geneva North)

Not officially part of the IESA won’t stop Jacob Calvario from making waves on the cross country course this fall. Last season, he clocked an impressive 10:56 PR at the Jr. Royal Invite. He also showed his grit at the Illinois Youth XC Championships 4000m, placing 16th with a solid 14:23. His track credentials are equally impressive—Jacob ran a 4:49 1600m at Magis Miles and stands out as one of the very few middle schoolers to ever compete in a 5000m on the track. At the Tracksmith Twilight 5000, he finished in 16:57, earning second place among middle school competitors. The IESA might consider themselves lucky not to have to face off against Jacob this season, because if he did, he’d undoubtedly be bringing home hardware this fall.

6. Ari Thompkins (8th, Chicago [Lenart])

Ari Thompkins is on a mission to prove he’s the fastest runner in the city of Chicago. This past season with the Gately Park Track Club was a breakout year for him—he smashed his 800m PR with a blazing 2:06 at the AAU Region 13 Qualifier and followed it up with a strong 2:08 performance to take fourth at the AAU Junior Olympic Games this summer. His 1600m time isn’t far behind either, boasting a new PR of 4:54. While he seems to favor the mid-distance events, Thompkins is definitely a name to watch during the cross country season. Last year, he placed 22nd at the CPS Championships, but this year, expect him to completely dominate. With a CPS City title in his sights, Thompkins comes into the season as the clear favorite for that crown.

7. Samuel Garrison (8th, Champaign [Edison])

Samuel Garrison has been a star from day one, and he’s ready to continue his streak of excellence this season. He posted new personal bests in both the 800 and 1600 this year, highlighted by a 2:10 in the 800 that earned him runner-up honors in 4A at the state meet. Over the summer, he ran a strong 1500 that converts to a 4:52 in the 1600. On the cross country course last fall, Garrison posted a solid 10:54 but was disappointed with his 113th place finish at state. This year, it’s a clear revenge tour as he aims to shatter that result. With his recent track improvements, expect him to crush his previous finish and come away with a major new PR on the grass.

8. Camden Fisher (8th, St. Joseph)

One of the top returners in 2A, Camden Fisher earns his spot at MS #8. Fisher had a strong track season, dropping significant time in both the 800 and 1600. He peaked at the state meet in the 800, cutting nearly five seconds off his PR to finish 8th in 3A with a time of 2:15—a major improvement over his season average. His 1600 was more consistent, with multiple sub-5 performances, capped by a 4:56 at state that earned him 5th place. His cross country resume is just as solid, highlighted by an 11:08 at last year’s state meet, where he placed 9th and finished as the second-fastest returner. With the best track season of any returning 2A athlete, Fisher enters the fall as the clear favorite. A 2A state title is within reach, and Camden Fisher is poised for a standout season.

9. Parker Volk (8th, Pecatonica)

After transitioning from sprinter to distance runner, Parker Volk has experienced nothing but success. He quickly became a force in 3A distance events this year, posting impressive PRs of 2:13 in the 800 and 4:56 in the 1600. He placed fourth in both events at the state meet. Looking ahead to the fall, he stands as the primary challenger to Camden Fisher for the 2A state title. Last season, Volk wasn’t in the same league, with a cross country PR of 11:58 at the state meet. However, given the massive strides he made during track season, that mark is likely a thing of the past. Expect Parker Volk to be a serious contender for the 2A title this fall.

10. Damien Ramirez (8th, Bourbonnais)

Damien Ramirez has some of the highest upside of any athlete on this list, and he rounds out our top ten. This year, Ramirez dropped nearly 25 seconds in the 1600 to finish second in 4A at the state meet. He wasn’t afraid to take charge in that race, going out aggressively with a 1:07 first lap. His 2-mile PR sits at 11:25—a solid mark, but one he’ll need to improve if he wants to contend for the 4A state title. That said, his track performances suggest he’s already capable of running well below that. Ramirez brings a bold racing style that can throw off his competitors, making him a difficult runner to match this cross country season.

11. Reid Lang (8th, Washington Central)

After some major time drops on the oval, Reid Lang is looking to improve on his finish from last season. He posted some showstopping performances during track, including a 2:13 PR in the 800 that earned him third place in 3A. He also broke the five-minute barrier in the 1600, clocking a PR of 4:58 and finishing sixth. On the grass, however, he didn’t end the season the way he had hoped—running 11:18 at his sectional meet before slipping to 11:53 at state. If he can carry the momentum from his track season into cross country, he’s poised for a significant improvement this fall.

12. Ryan Law (8th, Mt. Sterling [Brown County])

The 2A 1600 state champ will look to make his debut cross country season an electric opener. Ryan Law finally broke the 5 minute barrier in the 1600 this year with a new PR of 4:58. He took the win in 2A with a time of 5:06, and he was fourth in the 800 with a time of 2:14. He has never run a 2 mile before, he’s never even competed in cross country. However, with track times like this, he can’t be left off of this list. Whether he chooses to run club or run unattached, he will have some big time performances this fall. 

13. Emilio Palmer (8th, Rolling Meadows [Plum Grove])

Another sub-5 miler, Emilio Palmer takes the MS #13 spot—and he's bringing serious momentum with him. Palmer has been putting in work on the oval, dropping his 1600 PR to an impressive 4:56 and improving his 800 to 2:14. He placed 4th in the 4A 1600 and 5th in the 4A 800, showing off his range and competitiveness. While his PRs are comparable to those ranked near him, what sets Palmer apart is his proven strength in the 2-mile. He recently clocked a blazing 10:46 on the track, a time that pairs dangerously well with his 12th place finish at last year’s 4A state cross country meet. Palmer is flying under the radar right now, but come state meet time—he’s going to be a problem.

14. Liam Coon (8th, Mt. Zion)

Another sub-5 miler returns to the 3A field, as Liam Coon joins the fray in pursuit of a top-five finish. He ran 4:59 at the state meet, taking 5th in the 4A 1600 in the process. His 800 showed progress as well, with a PR of 2:16 that earned him 8th in 4A. His success on the grass may be even more impressive than some of the runners ranked ahead of him, with an 11:03 PR from his sectional meet. He finished 26th in 3A last year—higher than many of the athletes on this list. However, with some of his track times trailing behind the likes of Ethan Otto and Lucas Pfoutz, expect him to sit just off the lead pack. Still, just because 3A is stacked this year doesn't mean Coon won’t post fast times. Make sure to keep an eye on him as the season unfolds. 

15. Evan Thompson (8th, Edwardsville [Liberty])

One of the top returning state performers from 4A last year, Evan Thompson enters at MS #15. He ran 11:11 for a six-second PR at the state meet, finishing 17th overall. He was the second-fastest returning runner from that race, which speaks to his ability to perform under pressure. Thompson continued to show up during the track season, earning the final podium spot in the 4A 1600. While he didn’t drop a significant amount of time in the 1600, he shattered his 800 PR with a 2:18. He may be slightly behind some of the names he beat last year, but he should still be in contention for a top-five finish in 4A this fall.

16. Preston Brown (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln])

In just his first year of running, Preston Brown has made tremendous progress and posted some impressive times. He finished 6th in the 4A 1600 with a big PR of 5:00 in his debut track season. On the grass, he ran 12:08 last season and placed 135th at the state meet. While his cross country times don’t quite stack up with the rest of this list, they highlight just how far he’s come in a short period. Brown is poised for a breakout season—keep an eye on him during the postseason.

17. Jackson Rupiper (8th, Chillicothe) 

Jackson Rupiper had a productive track season that built strong momentum heading into cross country. He ran 5:00 in the 1600 and 2:15 in the 800—both good for 7th place in 3A and both massive personal bests compared to his marks as a sixth grader. Those improvements point to a major breakthrough this fall. He already owns a solid 2-mile PR of 11:08 from last season and ran 11:11 at the state meet to place 10th in 2A. As the third-fastest returner from that race, he’s in a great position. If he ran that well before dropping those big track times, imagine what he’s capable of now.

18. Jared Klingler (8th, Effingham)

One of the more proficient cross country runners on this list, Jared Klingler enters at MS #18. He ran a blazing 10:55 last season at his sectional meet, then followed that with a 15th-place finish at the state meet. He was the third-fastest returning runner in that race, behind only Chris Bennie and Bentlee Lawrenz. While his track season wasn’t quite as strong as those two, he still posted a solid 5:01 in the 3A 1600, finishing 8th. Klingler has some work ahead if he wants to crack the top 5 in 3A this year, but that goal is certainly within reach.

19. Monty Owen (8th, Monticello) 

Monty Owen is poised for a breakout cross country season, ready to shatter his 2-mile PR. He made huge strides on the track this year, dropping from 5:17 to 5:01 in the 1600 and slashing his 800 time from 2:31 to 2:19. Though he placed 13th in both events at 3A state, he didn’t run his best 1600 that day, signaling even more potential. His current 2-mile PR of 12:03 from last year’s sectional meet is ripe for improvement. Expect Owen not only to crush that mark but also to be a top-10 contender in 3A this season.

20. Jackson Elliott (8th, Springfield Christian) 

After switching from sprints to distance, Jackson Elliot has experienced nothing but success on the track. This year, he claimed the 2A state title in the 800 with a huge 5-second PR, running 2:10. He also led his 4x400 relay team to back-to-back state championships, splitting an impressive 57.6. Although he hasn’t run the mile, his cross country performances speak volumes. Last season, Elliot ran a strong 11:06 to finish third in 1A, making him the top returner and clear favorite heading into the fall. Considering he never ran beyond 400 meters as a sixth grader, his rapid progression sets him up perfectly for a standout cross country season.

21. Brady Becker (8th, Chicago [Catherine Cook]) 

Though he won’t be competing in the IESA this fall, Brady Becker is definitely a runner to watch. He had a breakout track season, smashing his PRs across the board. He closed out the season with an impressive 5:02 in the 1600 at Magis Miles, alongside a strong 2:14 in the 800. While his cross country focus is a bit different—he’s more accustomed to the 4000-meter distance—he broke 15 minutes last fall. Given his 1600 speed, expect him to challenge the 14-minute barrier this season. He might fly under the radar early on, but once the club season heats up, Brady Becker will be leading the pack.

22. Charlie Sabens (8th, Paris [Mayo])

Charlie Sabens made significant strides during the track season, setting the stage for a breakout cross country performance. He finished 9th in the 3A 1600 with a PR of 5:02—a big drop from his usual 5:10 range throughout the season. On the grass, Sabens boasts an impressive 2-mile PR of 11:07, which he set at the state meet while finishing as the top returning runner in 2A. Although his track times might not match some of his 2A competitors, his late-season strength and grit make him a serious contender when the state meet arrives.

23. Peyton Hlubek (8th, Quincy)

After a strong debut track season, Peyton Hlubek is poised to elevate his cross country performance this fall. He shattered his 800 PR with a blazing 2:12 to earn 3rd place in 4A, and also posted a solid 5:02 in the 1600, taking 7th. While his current 2-mile PR of 11:27 doesn’t fully reflect his potential, Peyton has the talent and speed to crush that time this season—and he could very well be contending for a top 3 finish in 4A.

24. Kelton Hines (7th, Columbia [Immaculate Conception]) 

The only seventh grader on this list, Kelton Hines is set to dominate the SIJHSAA this season. During the track season, he made massive strides, dropping his 1600 time by 30 seconds to an impressive 5:02. That performance earned him 3rd place in Class S at the state meet, and he’ll be aiming to shave a similar margin off his 3000 time. Last fall, he finished 14th at the Class S state meet with a 10:53, already one of the top returners in the race. With his new 1600 PR in hand, Kelton is poised to secure the Class S title this year.

25. Thomas Blanke (8th, Barrington [Prairie]) 

A consistent threat in 4A, Thomas Blanke will look to continue his strong 2-mile performances this fall. While he didn’t drop any major time during the track season, he still ran a solid low-5-minute 1600, earning a 9th place finish in 4A. His 2-mile PR of 11:20 from last year shows steady improvement. Finishing 27th in 4A last fall, Blanke will be aiming for a top-5 spot this season. Competing in the deepest classification in the state won’t be easy, but he has the best shot among his peers to make it happen.