Photo: Andrew Brown/MileSplit North Carolina
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The 2026 indoor season is set to come to a close over the next few weeks, and from the get-go, these underclassmen have quickly made a name for themselves.
From dominance at the state level to consistently being one of the top competitors across the region, this week's four future stars are just getting started.
Check out this week's four Future Stars!
NATIONAL PERFORMER OF THE WEEK:
Another phenomenal run for his first high school indoor campaign, Doll clocked 4:21.57 for 1600m at the LAB Indoor Meet #11. Finishing seventh overall, he was the only underclassman in the top 10 finishers, and the lone freshman to break 4:35. The 12th-fastest freshman in high school history, Doll is the Michigan class record holder, and currently the national leader in the freshman class. He also ranks No. 2 and No. 3 in the class of 2029 in both the 800m and mile.
KAITLYN ESTEP
Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
Class of 2028
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In the fall, Estep finished eighth at both the Brooks XC South Championships and NXR Southeast, both after winning her first NCHSAA state championship. Her winter months have been top-tier since the get-go. At the NCHSAA 7A Indoor State Championships, Estep finished first and runner-up in the 1000m and mile. Estep was the lone girl to break 3:00, and dipped under 4:55 again this season.
Crater (Ore.)
Class of 2029
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At the STCU West Coast Indoor Championships last weekend, White had himself a busy yet successful day at The Podium in Spokane. In the first of three events that White competed in, he ran 2:03.03 in his first 800m of the year. In the mile and 3000m, White clocked 4:23.96 and 8:45.59 en route to a third and 12th-place finish, with the latter coming in the form of a new PB. In his first year at the high school level, White has already made a name for himself, currently the No. 11 in the all-time freshman record books in both events.
Cherokee Trail (Colo.)
Class of 2029
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The trip to Northeast Kansas paid off for the Colorado star, with Lange leaving Topeka with a pair of PBs and another great showing this indoor campaign. At the Washburn Be Your Best #3 meet, the freshman competed in both the 800m and mile, winning the shorter of the two. Posting times of 2:11.97 and 4:55.55, Lange is now officially the fastest Colorado freshman ever in both events, and is inside the top-30 nationwide on the all-time freshman lists.