* Addison Ritzenhein of Niwot broke records at the Colorado 4A Cross Country Championships
Photo Credit: Tim McDonald/MileSplit
- - -
It's the part of the season we've all been waiting for.
We have officially entered the championship part of the year. Fun fact? Underclassmen are still dominating the competition.
In this week's edition of Future Stars, we highlighted individuals who claimed state titles or have secured a spot on our list as a runner to look out for ahead of their respective state championships in the upcoming weeks.
Check out the latest edition of Future Stars below.
Finn Schretenthaler
- - -
Park (MT)
Class of 2026
- - -
It's been a season of progression for Schretenthaler.
He peaked at the right time of the year.
For the first time in his career, he was able to dip under 16 minutes first time en route to his first state title. To kick off the 2023 season, Schretenthaler was running in the 17:30s.
At the MHSA Class A Championships, the sophomore went 15:27, which was the fourth-fastest time at the state championships. He won the title by 10 seconds over Ben Bird, a freshman from Hardin.
Addison Ritzenhein
- - -
Niwot (CO)
Class of 2026
- - -
What a weekend for Ritzenhein.
The Niwot sophomore continued her undefeated season and scored her first cross country state title at the Colorado 4A State Cross Country Championships.
On Saturday, she crossed the finish line to win in 17:08. She not only won the title by 30 seconds, but she also set a Class 4A meet record. Her performance was the third-fastest time ever on the Norris Penrose course.
To top off the weekend, Ritzenhein led Niwot to its sixth consecutive team title.
* Photo Credit: Mike Kepner / MileSplit
Libby Dowty
- - -
Indian Creek (IN)
Class of 2026
- - -
Dowty has been on a roll late in the cross country season.
Dowty had won four straight races heading into Sasturday. However, this weekend was her biggest moment.
After finishing 15th as a freshman, Dowty was able to run away with the win at the IHSAA State Cross Country Championship over the top returner.
Dowty put together a performance that produced a new 5K personal best of 17:06 and was able to add a state title to her resume. That time was also the fastest any female has ever run at the Indiana state championships.
* Photo Credit: Kevin Moorhead
Sean Fries
- - -
Minnetonka (MN)
Class of 2026
- - -
Fries knows how to put performances together when they matter most.
Over the last few weeks, he earned top finishes at the Nike Heartland Preview and the Lake Conference Championships.
He improved on his sixth-place finish in the 2022 MSHSL Section 2AAA XC Championships.
This weekend, Fries was the runner up at the section championships and led Minnetonka to the team title over Eden Prairie by nine points. After coming off a new 5K personal best of 15:25, Fries stopped the clock at 15:47 in Minnetrista, Minnesota.