* Maysen Fletcher finished fourth at the 2025 Great American XC Festival in North Carolina
Photo Credit: Dan Loughlin/MileSplit North Carolina
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Huge regional meets, including the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival and the Great American XC Festival, were the venues of choice for these four up-and-coming underclassmen.
Whether they surged past tried and true veterans over the last 100 meters, or whether they finished up front with their head held high, these four underclassmen deserve a pat on the back.
Check out this week's batch of future stars!
MILESPLIT MILESPLIT:
Bentonville (Ar.)
Class of 2029
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In her first trip to the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival, the Bentonville freshman kept her composure and kept pace with the big dogs, ultimately finishing sixth in the 'El Caliente' division, running 17:35.4. O'Daniel was the top freshman in the field and one of just 13 girls who broke 18:00. She's now the seventh-fastest runner in state history, and the second freshman to ever break 17:40.
Herbert Hoover (W.V.)
Class of 2028
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Out at WakeMed Soccer Complex, the Great American XC Festival played host to a historic string of results, including Fletcher's second trip under 17:00, which is also a huge PB. In her fourth-place finish, Fletcher clocked 16:53.3 as she became the third-fastest girl in state history, and the youngest West Virginian girl to break 17:00. Fletcher's sophomore campaign has been a wonder to watch, as she's six wins and a PB through eight races.
Shiloh Christian (Ar.)
Class of 2029
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As the top freshman in the field, Allen had a successful day at the University of Arkansas' Cross Country Course, finishing 10th out of a combined 726 runners, running a lifetime best of 15:15.5 along the way. Allen also led his Saint squad to a 22nd-place finish out of a field of over 80+ teams. Allen also remains the fastest freshman in state history, nearly 90 seconds faster than the next runner on the list.
DOMINIC MATTHIAS
Moore (Okla.)
Class of 2028
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Arguably, Matthias had the best weekend of any underclassman in the country, running 14:47.5 as he finished runner-up in his Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. Matthias had himself a day as he lowered his PB for the third-straight meet, breaking 15:00 for the first time in his young career. The Oklahoman became just the sixth to ever break 15:00, and the second-youngest in state history. Matthias sits No. 2 all-time behind Kevin Schwab's (Mustang) 21-year-old record of 14:44.80.