The Iowa high school cross country scene has produced some exceptional talent over the past few years, and this season, there will be plenty of eyes on the state.
Quentin Nauman solidified himself as one of the premier distance runners in the country through 2024-25, and the Western Dubuque senior who has committed to Oregon is sure to only add to that in 2025.
MORE: Breaking down Iowa high school football districts in 2025
Here is a look at the top returning cross country runners in Iowa for boys and girls based on their collective times at the state championship races in 2024:
TOP RETURNING IOWA HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS BY STATE TIMES
BOYS
- Quentin Nauman, Western Dubuque, 14:59.6
- Jaden Merrick, Cedar Falls, 15:08.0
- Keegan Decker, Iowa City Liberty, 15:10.1
- Canaan Dunham, Pella, 15:16.9
- Caleb Ten Pas, Des Moines Christian, 15:27.0
- Slader Buckheister, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 15:29.6
- Jacob Tallman, Gilbert, 15:30.4
- Jack Crossland, Johnston, 15:33.3
- Kuma Gutema, Sioux City North, 15:33.7
- Logan Bleich, Gilbert, 15:34.3
- Emerson Vokes, Grundy Center, 15:37.5
- Carson Squiers, Gilbert, 15:38.2
- Dominic Williams, Cedar Falls, 15:39.4
- AJ Willey, Bettendorf, 15:39.8
GIRLS
- Marissa Ferebee, Pella, 16:30.9
- Elsie Brenneman, Pella, 17:58.0
- Piper Messerly, Dallas Center-Grimes, 17:58.7
- Lili Denton, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 17:59.3
- Charlee Gall, Cedar Falls, 18:11.8
- Nakia Olivierre, Waterloo West, 18:18.5
- Ruth Dunham, Pella, 18:23.4
- Alyx Woodley, Johnston, 18:24.7
- Emma Chesterman, Dubuque Senior, 18:26.0
- Laura Streck, Van Meter, 18:31.8
- Chloe Glosser, Pekin, 18:31.9
- Izzy Hardin, Maquoketa, 18:35.4
- Grace Berglund, Glenwood, 18:42.4
- McKenna Montgomery, Albia, 18:43.4
- Scarlett Byrnes, Osage, 18:47.2
- Addison Bertrand, Sioux City Bishop Heelan, 18:47.8
- Kyliee Zylstra, Grinnell, 18:53.4
MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS:
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- Nebraska program to just play junior varsity football in 2025
- Wildfires in Canada causing problems for Minnesota high school athletics