Top Underclassmen From RXC
Addison Moore
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Woodford County (KY)
Class of 2026
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Making massive strides this fall, Kentucky-based sophomore Addison Moore finished her season having broken 18 minutes and earning her first cross country state title.
Finishing 24th just a few weeks ago at Foot Locker South, the sophomore decided to take on RunningLane for another chance at a national title.
Having run in the rain and muck last year in Huntsville for the silver race, Moore took that experience and earned the fastest time for an underclassmen across all races.
She took an eighth-place finish in 17:58.10, which was nearly a minute faster than her bid at RunningLane as a freshman.
Her performance was the second-best time she has run in her high school career.
Mia Sirois
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Barrington (IL)
Class of 2027
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This Ilinois runner certainly ran her fair share of races this fall, with 12 in all.
In early November, Sirois placed sixth at the IHSA State meet, clocking a 3-mile personal best. She was one of two freshmen who placed in the top 20 for the 3A class.
Only having run 3-mile races for the entire season, Sirois ran her first 5K at NXR Midwest, where she placed 27th overall and dipped under 18 minutes.
This past weekend at RunningLane, the freshman finished ninth in the gold championship race and hit 18:03 on the clock after sticking with the leading group for the majority of the race.
She was the only freshman who placed in the top 50.
Daniel Skandera
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Unattached (AL)
Class of 2026
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A previous world-record holder as a child, Daniel Skandera is now back on the national stage after his performance this past weekend at RunningLane.
After placing 14th at Foot Locker South in November, Skandera shifted his focus solely to RunningLane.
Placing fourth last year on the same muddy course, the sophomore knew how the course would play out and when to make his move. A little after passing the 2-mile mark, Skandera pushed himself to the front and began to surge.
He crossed the line in 15:05.30, earning his first national title.
Jaden Merrick
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Cedar Falls (IA)
Class of 2026
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Making the trip down to Alabama this past weekend, the Iowa sophomore closed off his cross country season with a fifth-place finish in the gold championship race at RunningLane.
After a long season of nine races -- six of which were wins -- the sophomore took runner-up at the Iowa state meet, running a whole minute faster than his bid as a freshman.
From state, Merrick took on NXR Heartland in mid-November, ultimately placing 10th overall with a new personal best. He was one of two underclassmen that placed within the top 20.
Shy of making Nike Cross Nationals, he took his talents to RunningLane.
From the gun, the sophomore held on to the leading pack the entire race and finished fifth in 15:19.50. He was the second fastest underclassmen of the day.