The 2026 Arizona high school cross-country season officially has arrived.
The Arizona Republic is previewing the top cross-country athletes in the state. These are the top 25 girls runners in Arizona, regardless of division. The rankings are based on performances from the 2025 cross-country season, as well as the 2026 spring track and field season.
ALA Queen Creek senior Tally Call has been in the mix at the top for years and now seeks to claim the top spot in Arizona, but a handful of runners stand in the way, including an impressive crop of youngsters. Gilbert Highland will attempt to tie Phoenix Xavier Prep’s AIA record with a sixth consecutive Division I team state championship — and the Hawks have all the tools to do so.
We have included a poll
asking readers to vote for the top athlete (the poll appears after the list; print readers can find it with this story online at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools).
The Republic's top 25 girls cross-country athletes in 2026
1. Tally Call, ALA Queen Creek, Sr.
The fastest returner in Arizona for the 5,000 at 18:19.7. She has helped lead ALA Queen Creek to three straight team state championships since she was a freshman and now looks set for individual glory this fall.
2. Natalia Morris, Gilbert Highland, Jr.
She could end the season at No. 1. The next great runner in a long line of them at the school. Ran 18:39.3 in the 5,000 last fall and 10:53.88 in the 3,200 in the spring.
3. Cassidy Long, Mesa Mountain View, So.
Coming off a breakout freshman season, where she ran 18:39.4 in the 5,000 and 10:47.81 in the 3,200. She’s got a lot of potential.
4. Gwen LeVander, Waddell ALA West Foothills, Jr.
She became the first from the LeVander Family to win a state title — cross-country or track and field — this past year, taking home the Division III crown. Ran 11:03.57 in the 3,200 during track.
5. Isabella Cropper, Phoenix Pinnacle, Sr.
One of only five returning athletes who has broken 11:00 in the 3,200 (10:54.88). Has a best of 18:57.4 in the 5,000. Could be a dark-horse candidate to win the individual title in Division I.
6. Jada O’Leary, ALA Queen Creek, Sr.
With her training partner, Tally Call, the two form one of the fastest lead packs for any team in the state. Personal best of 18:22.9 in the 5,000.
7. Katelyn Anderson, Gilbert Highland, Jr.
Arguably displayed the most growth on last year’s title-winning team, shaving off nearly two minutes in the 5,000 (19:20.8) to become a contributing scorer.
8. Ella Bonnette, Gilbert Highland, Jr.
She’s dealing with a bit of an injury, but will be back to full health soon. Will be one of the athletes pushing the pace for the Hawks.
9. Emerson Butler, Phoenix Country Day School, Jr.
She’s showing that it doesn’t matter if you’re from a small school — if you’re fast, you’re fast. Her time of 10:51.66 in the 3,200 makes her the second fastest returner in the state. Last year’s Division IV runner-up.
10. Taelyn Janssen, Waddell Canyon View, Jr.
She could become the next Janssen to win a state title. After watching her sister, Taryn, win an individual state title and her brother, Tanner, win a team state title at Glendale Prep, Taelyn is trying to reach the same heights at Canyon View. Has run 19:06.5 in the 5,000 and 11:13.39 in the 3,200.
11. Sydney McCracken, Glendale Mountain Ridge, Sr.
Ready to attack the season after an “amazing” block of summer training, according to coach Mitchell Moses. Personal best of 18:47.1 in the 5,000.
12. Kylyn Taylor, Flagstaff, Sr.
After consecutive third-place finishes at the last two state championships, she’s “motivated this year more than ever.”
13. Kendyl Taylor, Phoenix Desert Vista, Jr.
Desert Vista has a rich history of distance running and Taylor could be the next to carry that mantle. The 800-meter specialist has run 18:48.1 in the 5,000.
14. Allison Reamer, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Sr.
One of the top runners in Division II. She has finished 15th, eighth and fifth at the past three state championships. This could be the year for her.
15. Sawyer Lemieux, Queen Creek Crismon, So.
She raced like a veteran as a freshman, finishing 35th overall at last year’s championships in the merged results. Already close to breaking 19:00 in the 5,000 (19:04.7).
16. Isabell Martin, Chinle, So.
One of the most impressive freshmen from last year, part of what could be a very special class. Showed a lot of improvement, going from 22:42.8 (elevation) to 19:52.1 in the 5,000.
17. Rhima Edkaidek, Tempe Corona del Sol, Sr.
Performs when it matters most: her personal best in the 5,000 (19:34.8) came at the state championships.
18. Anya Veres, Phoenix Pinnacle, Jr.
She’s expected to be a major contributor for Pinnacle this season after a breakthrough on the track, running 11:13.75 in the 3,200. Gets to train with one of the top runners in the state, Isabella Cropper.
19. Eva Jacobs, Phoenix Sunnyslope, Sr.
She will look to build on her strong spring. Was a top 50 finisher in the merged results at last year’s state championships.
20. Sylvia Harding, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Sr.
With her teammate, Reamer, pushing it, the two have each other to work off. She’s a very consistent runner.
21. Tylee Salcido, Gilbert Williams Field, So.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a big jump in performance from her. Got down to 19:12.2 in the 5,000.
22. Mara Mellberg, Chandler Hamilton, Sr.
Transferred from Chandler Valley Christian in the winter and quickly fit into the Hamilton program under coach Mike Scannell, running 11:18.0 in the 3,200.
23. Chantel Newman, Phoenix Xavier Prep, Sr.
Established herself last season and now looks to step into a lead role for the Gators, with the departure of Kennedy Frakes. Has run 19:20.0 in the 5,000.
24. Zoi Nagel, Chino Valley, Sr.
On the cross-country course, she is a championship racer. Has worked her way up in Division III, finishing 10th last year.
25. Savannah Koontz, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, Sr.
One of the top runners from southern Arizona. Coach Aleta Jokisch said Koontz has looked “strong and is running well” over the summer.
Vote: Who's No. 1?
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. The Republic's top 2026 high school girls cross-country athletes
