The 2026 TSSAA boys and girls cross-country season has begun in the Knoxville area.
Multiple state champions return for the boys, while the absence of Webb's 2025 senior class leaves the door open for new champions on the girls side.
Here are the top returning girls and boys runners for the 2026 TSSAA cross-country season in the Knoxville area.
Girls
Riley Harris, Alcoa, Jr.: Harris qualified for the TSSAA state cross-country championships in 2025 and placed 16th in Class AA with a time of 20 minutes, 24.02 seconds.
Jordan Walker, Anderson County, Jr.: Walker, in the same class, finished 20th with a time of 20:55.09.
Sophie Lee, CAK, So.: Lee placed second in Division II-A with a time of 19:03.16 for Grace Christian. She transferred to CAK for the 2026
season.
Emery Adams, CAK, So.: Adams' time of 20:03.65 in DII-A placed her seventh at state in 2025.
Drew Gerken, Catholic, Jr.: Gerken was one of the top finishers for Catholic in DII-AA. She ended in eighth place with a time of 18:48.97.
Ana Berkheimer, Hardin Valley, Sr.: Berkheimer was Hardin Valley's top finisher in Class AAA, placing 16th with a time of 18:45.32.
Alexandra Vesser, Hardin Valley, Sr.: Vesser received PrepXtra honors as the Hawks' top runner in the regular season with three individual victories and a season-low time of 17:58.41. She dealt with illness in the state tournament and finished No. 28 with a time of 19:19.15.
Hadleih Mitchey, Maryville, So.: Mitchey competed for Heritage in her freshman season. She placed third in Class AA with a time of 18:57.47.
Amaijah Bishop, Oak Ridge, Jr.: Bishop earned All-Region honors and finished with a time of 19:54.21 in Class AAA.
Emma Cissna, Webb, Sr.: Cissna helped Webb secure its third straight state title with a ninth-place finish in DII-AA with a time of 18:48.97.
Boys
Cade Duncanson, Catholic, Sr.: Duncanson made the PrepXtra boys cross-country team as the top runner for Catholic in DII-AA with a time of 16:07.42.
Bradyn Lewis, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.: Lewis placed fifth in Class A with a time of 16:43.43.
Trey Bailey, Greeneville, Sr.: Bailey is the returning PrepXtra boys runner of the year with an exceptional undefeated run during the 2025 TSSAA season, culminating in a Class AA state tournament win with a time of 15:12.89.
Zachary Jenkins, Halls, Sr.: Jenkins posted a Halls school record of 16:24 and placed eighth in the Class AAA sectionals.
Noah Losacker, Lakeway Christian, Sr.: Losacker almost won the DII-A title with a time of 16:15.96. He won the DII-A East Region title with a time of 16:29 and a season-low time of 16:08.
Tommy Babbit, Maryville, Sr.: Babbit's time of 15:37.23 slotted him in third place in the Class AAA state tournament.
Duncan Oshumu Tarayia, The King's Academy, Jr.: Tarayia improved his personal best time by an entire minute, finishing atop DII-A with a time of 15:48.47.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Who are Knoxville area's top TSSAA cross-country runners for 2026 season?
