September is in the books, and with state just a month away, here are Oregon's top 10 underclassmen making noise in cross country.
Girls to Watch in October
Freshman Katherine Kessi is the main girl to watch this month, after winning the Oregon City XC Championships and finishing runner-up at The Mook XC Invite in September. Freshman Claire Horton also secured top-10 finishes at these two prestigious races, making her one to watch. Also, sophomore Evangeline Johnson-Hess continues to look like Oregon's best runner after a great freshman season. She finished as Oregon's top athlete at the Nike Bob Firman XC Invitational and looks primed to contend for an NXN individual spot.
Boys to Watch in October
Freshman James Fullerton has immediately made an impact for Grant, helping them become one of the top teams in the state. He even finished as Grant's top runner at the Nike Portland XC Invitational, where they finished runner-up as the top Oregon team. After sophomore Cooper Altenburg posted a 36-second improvement at the Nike Bob Firman XC Invitational on the same course the year before, he is one to watch this month as he enters bigger meets. Sophomore Ryder White will also be a key factor this month after running 14:27 in the three-mile at the Woodbridge XC Classic.
Top 10 Oregon Girls Underclassmen - 5K
5000 Meter Run
OR Rankings · Girls · 2026
Top 10 Oregon Boys Underclassmen - 5K
5000 Meter Run
OR Rankings · Boys · 2026
September is in the books, and with state just a month away, here are Oregon's top 10 underclassmen making noise in cross country.
Girls to Watch in October
Freshman Katherine Kessi is the main girl to watch this month, after winning the Oregon City XC Championships and finishing runner-up at The Mook XC Invite in September. Freshman Claire Horton also secured top-10 finishes at these two prestigious races, making her one to watch. Also, sophomore Evangeline Johnson-Hess continues to look like Oregon's best runner after a great freshman season. She finished as Oregon's top athlete at the Nike Bob Firman XC Invitational and looks primed to contend for an NXN individual spot.
