With Middle School States coming up this weekend, here are the top 10 times for boys and girls over the 4K distance. Though not everyone runs the 4K weekly, most of the top athletes in the middle school ranks will run at least one 4K prior to the state meet.
If you're interested, check out the total leaderboards here (boys - girls) for all the other distances.
Leading the boys rankings is Bryson Nemec who interestingly enough has only run one 4K this season and that was this past weekend at VAXC. That course is the exact same as the state meet course this weekend so it was a good preview. He has however also ran 18:30 for 5K at Oatalnds which would equate to sub 18 on another course.
His closest competition is Nathan Lovell who opened his season with a blistering 14:05 at Knights crossing and should be able to go faster this weekend.
Boys 4K Top 10 Rankings
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13:50.80 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase4th F | |
| 2 | 14:05.90 | 2029 | ||
| 3 | 14:08.70 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase6th F | |
| 4 | 14:11.40 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase7th F | |
| 5 | 14:12.00 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase8th F | |
| 6 | 14:17.00 | 2030 | ||
| 7 | 14:17.50 | 2029 | ||
| 8 | 14:18.90 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase9th F | |
| 9 | 14:21.60 | 2030 | The VA XC Showcase10th F | |
| 10 | 14:21.75 | 2029 |
In the girls competition there are quite a few names to point out. Isabella Strumke is the leader on time and on a team that has produced winners at States before. Her 14:41 is on the same state meet course but she does have competition to expect from multiple girls on this list.
One of those is River Smith of Hanover. She ranked 6th for 4K but has run 19:36 for 5K! She is then joined by the only middle schooler to beat her this year, Lilah Harding who enters the weekend as the top returner from last year and 8th ranked individual on time.
Girls 4K Top 10 Rankings
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14:41.50 | 2032 | The VA XC Showcase2nd F | |
| 2 | 15:08.20 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase5th F | |
| 3 | 15:12.70 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase6th F | |
| 4 | 15:30.50 | 2032 | The VA XC Showcase9th F | |
| 5 | 15:31.20 | 2030 | The VA XC Showcase10th F | |
| 6 | 15:46.60 | 2029 | Hanover Kick-Off 4K1st F | |
| 7 | 15:46.90 | 2030 | The VA XC Showcase11th F | |
| 8 | 15:50.20 | 2029 | ||
| 9 | 16:09.10 | 2029 | The VA XC Showcase15th F | |
| 10 | 16:29.30 | 2030 | The VA XC Showcase16th F |