* Air Academy's (CO) freshman Chamorra Cooper already made an impact for the Kadets this season
Photo Credit: Jen Jardeleza/MileSplit
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The cross country season is starting to heat up as state championships are on the horizon.
Many of the country's top underclassmen selected for this week's Future Stars were key to their team's overall success. Now that we are counting down the days until states and regionals, which underclassmen have been riding high?
Check out the latest edition of Future Stars below.
* Photo Credit: Tim McDonald / MileSplit
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Air Academy (CO)
Class of 2027
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The Kadets have showcased themselves as one of the top programs in the nation.
And Cooper, who's a freshman, has been gaining experience throughout the season. Over the weekend, at the Colorado 5A Region 5 Cross Country Championships, she was her team's fourth finisher. Cooper was able to stop the clock in 18:18 to finish fifth overall. She contributed to the Kadets' team title.
This weekend she will have the opportunity to help defend the team's state title from 2022.
Miles Lechtenberg
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Sioux Falls Lincoln (SD)
Class of 2026
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Lechtenberg kicked off his freshman season in 2022 by finishing 28th at the South Dakota State Championships with a time of 17:14 5K.
Fast forward a year.
Over the weekend, he clocked his third sub 16-minute performance as he crossed the finish line and was the fifth-fastest competitor at the South Dakota Class 2A State Championships.
The sophomore clocked a 15:48 performance as he led the team to the title with a 16:21 average and helped put 115 points on the board.
* Photo Credit: Robert Kellert / MileSplit
Sean Galvin
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Christian Brothers Academy (NJ)
Class of 2026
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At the Shore Conference Championships, Galvin was the second-fastest runner for Christian Brothers Academy as he crossed the finish line in 15:42 for 5K. Galvin was the fifth boy to finish the race.
Galvin showcased tremendous improvement from his freshman season in 2022. Last year he ran in the two mile freshman/JV race and finished fourth with an 11:04 performance. He wrapped up his freshman season with a 5K best of 17:40.
Fast forward to this season and he reset his personal best in every 5K race this year. His personal best now lies at 15:42 from the weekend making him the fastest sophomore in the state.
Audrey Orme
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Boise Senior (ID)
Class of 2026
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Boise Senior has established leaders with seniors like Allie Bruce and Sammy Smith.
Orme, just a sophomore, has entered the conversation as an individual who can help lead the successful program to new heights over the next couple of seasons.
She took control over the weekend and won the Idaho District III 5A Cross Country Championships in 17:50. Boise Senior finished second to Rocky Mountain by two points, but had the fastest team average of 19:05.
* Photo Credit: Robert Kellert / MileSplit
Ivy Slavinski
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Pt. Pleasant Boro (NJ)
Class of 2026
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At the Shore Conference Championships this weekend, Slavinski ran the second-fastest sophomore time in the state of New Jersey this season.
The up-and-coming star broke 18 minutes for the first time and was able to finish third at the meet in 17:56. Slavinski has continued to make improvements in the sport; she entered the 2023 season with a best of 18:57 for 5K.
Looking ahead, Slavinski is set up perfectly to finish the regular season strong. As a freshman, she finished 31st at the NJSIAA XC Meet of Championship and third at the NJSIAA Group Championships.
Maximo Zavaleta
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ML King (CA)
Class of 2026
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This year has been a remarkable one for Zavaleta.
Recently at the Mt. SAC Invitational, he finished second in the D1-2 sweepstake race by a step.
As he crossed through the finish line in the three mile race, he stopped the clock at 14:51.
During the season, he's clocked consistent sub 15-minute three mile this year. His fastest time was 14:13 at the Inland Empire Challenge mid-October.
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