From the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains to the trails around the Santa Susana pass, San Gabriel Mountains and foothills of Santa Clarita, the talent for high school cross country in the LA Daily News area is immense.
Here is a countdown of the Top 10 boys and girls cross country runners to watch in 2026:
TOP 10 GIRLS
1. Kathleen Lambe, Oak Park, sophomore
Lambe showed improved pacing throughout last fall and then in her spring season while competing in track and field. Lambe finished 12th in Division IV of the CIF State Championships last season with a time of 17 minutes, 59 seconds. She also placed seventh in the CIF-SS Division 3 finals in 16:54.3.
2. and 3. Sabina Cruz and Anais Cruz, Westlake, sophomores
The Cruz sisters, who are twins, posted Top 25 finishes in Division II at the CIF State Championships. Sabina finished ninth in 17:39.7 last season while Anais placed 22nd in 17:59.5. Sabina and Anais are considered outstanding runners in the 3,200 meters. Anais broke a 35-year-old record and finished in 10:33.76 in the 3,200 meters before breaking her own record a week later at the CIF Southern Section Masters with a 10:31.83. Sabina finished sixth in the 3,200 last year at CIF-SS Masters.
4. Jia Rhee, Harvard-Westlake, junior
Rhee led a successful campaign on the dirt trails in 2025. Rhee reached the CIF State Division IV championships in 18.08.1 and was one of two runners from Harvard-Westlake to finish in the Top 20.
5. Cecilia Vasquez, Simi Valley, senior
Vasquez leads the pack for Simi Valley after a consistent year running for the Pioneers in 2025. Vasquez finished 21st at the CIF State Division III championships in 18:13.7.
6. Aine Pitillo, Oak Park, sophomore
Pitillo proved pace for Oak Park as a freshman. Pitillo finished 31st in the CIF State Division IV State Championship with a personal best of 18.28.4 and finished 21st in the 3,200 meters at the CIF State Track and Field Championships.
7. Sophia Perez, Oak Park, senior
Perez provides another anchor for Oak Park which finished seventh overall at the CIF Southern Section championships and won the Division 3 title last season. Perez ran the state finals in 18:31.6 and ran a season best 17:39.7 last season.
8. Christina Smith, Oaks Christian, sophomore
Smith is one of the key returners for Oaks Christian after consistently finishing Top 20 in races last season. Smith paced a time of 18:42.7 at state and will be one of the leaders after a strong start to her career.
9. Jersey Baker, Saugus, junior
Baker looks to be in the pack again for a Top 50 CIF state qualifying time and both a sectional and Masters Top 10 spot after a strong series of races across the board in 2025. Baker ran a personal best 17:52.7 at the CIF Southern Section finals and ran the CIF State Division 2 race in 18:46.5.
10. Aria Cinelli, Westlake, sophomore
Cinelli proved her worth in the rotation of runners with top times across the state. Cinelli ran the CIF State Division II finals in 18:48.7 after a time of 18:21.8 in the CIF Southern Section Championships last season.
TOP 10 BOYS
1. Adrian Cantu, Saugus, senior
Cantu was the lone male from the LA Daily News area to run in the CIF state finals with a sub-15-minute time and ran the fastest 5K in Foothill League history. Cantu is now back to prove he can win the state title and more after he finished at state last season. He is the younger brother of UCLA distance runner Aaron Cantu.
2. Sterling White, Oaks Christian, sophomore
White looks to improve times after a strong season running during his freshman year. White finished fourth at the CIF Southern Section Division 4 Championship and finished the CIF State Division 4 Final in ninth place in 15:20.5.
3. Arizechkwu Nwosu, Oaks Christian, senior
Nwosu helped push Oaks Christian to the program’s first CIF Southern Section title in cross country in 2024. Nwosu paired with White is looking to push the tempo for Oaks Christian and its experienced group. Nwosu finished 10th in 15:22.4 during last year’s state finals.
4. Jack Richter, Viewpoint, senior
Richter looks to be the next Viewpoint runner to step up to stardom after teammate Oily O’Connor won the CIF Division V state title in 2025. Richter is the returner for Viewpoint, a program that has produced one CIF state championship and six CIF Southern Section titles. Richter finished fifth at state in 15:23.8 last season.
5., 6. and 7. Jameson Wiley, Josiah Himsl and Samuel Aina, Hart, seniors
Wiley, Himsl and Aina are paired together and it’s not because they’re brothers. Himsl and Wiley ran identical 15:24 and 15:25 times at state while Aina wasn’t fair behind with a time of 15:27.9 to stay with the pack. They work together, pace together and create a team environment that pushes Hart to succeed.
8. Henry Saywell, Saugus, senior
Saywell brings experience for Saugus and finished with a top-50 placemen at state. Saywell finished the CIF State Division 2 championship in 15:38.3.
9. Ari Kalan, Oak Park, senior
Kalan sets the tone for Oak Park after a top 50 finish at the CIF State Division III finals. Kalan finished 31st at state with a time of 15:40.3.
10. Victor Esquivel, West Ranch, sophomore
The Foothill League is loaded this year. Expect Esquivel to set the tone in the front for West Ranch after an impressive freshman season where he qualified and finished 36th at the CIF Division III state meet in 15:41.2.
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