Vote. The Republic's top 2026 high school girls cross-country athletes

The 2026 Arizona high school cross-country season has begun, and the Arizona Republic is previewing the state's top female runners. These rankings, based on performances from the 2025 cross-country season and the 2026 spring track and field season, include athletes from all divisions.

1. Tally Call, a senior at ALA Queen Creek, is the fastest returner in Arizona for the 5,000 meters, finishing the race in 18:19.7. She has led her team to three consecutive team state championships and is aiming for individual glory this fall.

2. Natalia Morris, a junior at Gilbert Highland, could end the season as the top-ranked female runner in Arizona. She ran a 5,000-meter time of 18:39.3 last fall and 10:53.88 in the 3,200 meters during spring track.

3. Cassidy Long, a senior at Mesa Mountain View, had a breakout freshman season, with times of 18:39.4 in the 5,000 and 10:47.81 in the 3,200 during her sophomore year.

4. Gwen LeVander, a junior at Waddell ALA West Foothills, became the first member of her family to win a state title, either in cross-country or track and field. She ran a 3,200-meter time of 11:03.57 during the track season.

5. Isabella Cropper, a senior at Phoenix Pinnacle, is one of only five returning athletes to break the 11-minute barrier in the 3,200 meters (10:54.88). She also ran a 5,000-meter time of 18:57.4 last fall and could be a dark-horse candidate to win the individual title in Division I.

6. Jada O’Leary, a senior at ALA Queen Creek, has formed one of the fastest lead packs for any team in the state, training alongside Tally Call. Her personal best in the 5,000 is 18:22.9.

7. Katelyn Anderson, a junior at Gilbert Highland, demonstrated significant growth on last year’s title-winning team, shaving nearly two minutes off her 5,000-meter time (19:20.8) to become a contributing scorer.

8. Ella Bonnette, a junior at Gilbert Highland, will be back to full health soon after dealing with an injury. She is expected to push the pace for the Hawks.

9. Emerson Butler, a junior at Phoenix Country Day School, shows that talent knows no bounds, as she is the second-fastest returner in the state with a 3,200-meter time of 10:51.66. Last year, she was the Division IV runner-up.

10. Taelyn Janssen, a junior at Waddell Canyon View, aims to become the next Janssen to win a state title. She has run a 5,000-meter time of 19:06.5 and a 3,200-meter time of 11:13.39.

11. Sydney McCracken, a senior at Glendale Mountain Ridge, is ready to attack the season after an impressive summer training block. Her personal best in the 5,000 is 18:47.1.

12. Kylyn Taylor, a senior at Flagstaff, is motivated for the season after consecutive third-place finishes at the last two state championships.

13. Kendyl Taylor, a junior at Phoenix Desert Vista, could be the next member of her family to carry the distance running mantle. She ran a 5,000-meter time of 18:48.1 during the track season.

14. Allison Reamer, a senior at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, is one of the top runners in Division II. She has finished 15th, eighth, and fifth at the past three state championships and could be a contender in 2026.

15. Sawyer Lemieux, a sophomore at Queen Creek Crismon, raced like a veteran as a freshman, finishing 35th overall at last year’s championships. She is already close to breaking the 19-minute mark in the 5,000 (19:04.7).

16. Isabell Martin, a senior at Chinle, had an impressive freshman year, improving her 5,000-meter time from 22:42.8 (elevation) to 19:52.1.

17. Rhima Edkaidek, a senior at Tempe Corona del Sol, excels when it matters most, with her personal best in the 5,000 coming at the state championships (19:34.8).

18. Anya Veres, a junior at Phoenix Pinnacle, is expected to be a major contributor for Pinnacle this season after a breakthrough on the track, with a 3,200-meter time of 11:13.75.

19. Eva Jacobs, a senior at Phoenix Sunnyslope, aims to build on her strong spring performance, having finished in the top 50 at last year’s state championships.

20. Sylvia Harding, a senior at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, has a consistent running style and works well with her teammate, Allison Reamer.

21. Tylee Salcido, a sophomore at Gilbert Williams Field, could see a significant jump in performance, having run a 5,000-meter time of 19:12.2 during spring track.

22. Mara Mellberg, a senior at Chandler Hamilton, transferred from Chandler Valley Christian in the winter and quickly integrated into the Hamilton program, running a 3,200-meter time of 11:18.0.

23. Chantel Newman, a senior at Phoenix Xavier Prep, has established herself as a leader for the Gators after Kennedy Frakes departed. She has run a 5,000-meter time of 19:20.0.

24. Zoi Nagel, a senior at Chino Valley, is a championship racer on the cross-country course and has steadily climbed the ranks in Division III, finishing 10th last year.

25. Savannah Koontz, a senior at Tucson Salpointe Catholic, is one of the top runners from southern Arizona and trains under Coach Aleta Jokisch.