High school cross country preview: Meet the top runners to watch in Boise area
With eight of the 10 individual state cross country titles won by seniors last season, 2025 opens the door for new faces to climb the podium.
Southwest Idaho is home to a slew of contenders, and the Idaho Statesman surveyed District Three coaches to find out which runners we should be keeping an eye on this season.
Runners are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
TOP GIRLS TO WATCH
Camilla Freeman, Skyview
She’s claimed back-to-back 5A District Three individual championships and placed second at last year’s state meet behind Twin Falls’ Raelee Richardson, who is now a junior. Freeman, a senior, has placed in the top 10 at state the past two seasons, including 10th as a sophomore. She is the reigning district champion in the 3,200 meters. “She has been a consistent top runner throughout her high school career and will be strong this year as a senior,” Nampa coach Kylee Wells said.
Hallie Heemeyer, Rocky Mountain
She owns the second-best finish among returning runners at last year’s 6A state meet, placing third. She then took 13th at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships and 69th at NXN Nike Cross Nationals. The senior is coming off a track season in which she took third at state in both the 800 and 1,600. “Hallie had a breakout junior year and established herself as one of the favorites coming into the 2025 season,” Boise coach Aaron Olswanger said.
Annie Herd, Centennial
After finishing 20th at last year’s 6A state meet as a sophomore, she had a breakout moment at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships, coming in 13th. She carried that momentum into the spring track season, where she placed second in the 800 at state. “Big talent that put it together at the end of last season and should again this year,” Eagle coach Nick Hampton said.
Ella Klekas, Bishop Kelly
She came on strong at the end of the 2024 season, running to a third-place showing at the 5A District Three meet and then taking sixth at the state championships. During the spring track season, Klekas finished as the runner-up in the 800 at state. “She is a very strong, consistent runner and she will be battling for the No. 1 spot at districts,” Skyview coach Jason Brown said.
Claire Matthews, Weiser
Matthews has qualified for state her first three seasons, finishing among the top eight each time — fourth as a freshman, sixth as a sophomore and eighth as a junior. She’s also a top contender in track, earning two third-place showings (1,600 and 3,200) and a fifth (800) at last year’s 4A state meet. “Consistent top finishes in district and state for three years,” Weiser coach Scott Hale said.
Audrey Orme, Boise
Orme is the top returning finisher from last year’s 6A state meet, placing second behind now graduated senior Paisley Taylor of Meridian. As a sophomore, she won the 6A District Three individual championship and was third a year ago. “Really tough competitor,” Rocky Mountain coach Jeff Howard said. “Has battled through injuries and found ways to still be successful.”
Layla Page, Parma
Page is the top individual returner among District Three teams after placing 13th at the 3A state meet last season behind now graduated teammate Megan Atkinson, last year’s champ. Page placed second at the district meet and added a sixth-place showing at the state track meet in the 400. “Layla will try to outwork you,” Nampa Christian coach Zach Dwello said. “She is very tough.”
Ella Smith, Fruitland
The reigning 4A District Three individual champion has placed among the top seven finishers at state the past two seasons, crossing the line in seventh in 2024 and fifth in 2023. During the spring track season, she qualified for state in the 1,600 and 3,200, finishing fourth in both races. “Top three runner for her ninth and 10th grade year,” Weiser coach Scott Hale said. “Likely to get even better.”
Lucy Spiess, Boise
Running alongside teammate Audrey Orme, last year’s 6A state runner-up, she’ll be a contender in the state’s largest classification. Spiess, a senior, took fifth at state in 2024 and added a seventh-place outing in the 3,200 at the state track meet. “Her leadership through her work ethic has risen the bar for the Boise girls,” Olswanger said. “Lucy is ready to take the next step.”
Libby Stockett, Victory Charter
Stockett took fifth at last year’s state meet to help the Vipers win the first 2A state championship in school history. She was fifth at the district meet in 2023 and the runner-up in 2024. During last year’s state track meet, she qualified in the 1,600 (fourth) and 3,200 (third). “Solid runner with excellent pedigree,” Tri-Valley coach Rich Hollon said.
TOP BOYS TO WATCH
Johnny Culpepper, Eagle
The top five finishers at last year’s 6A state meet have all graduated, and eight of the top 10 were seniors. Culpepper is the second-fastest returner among District Three runners at last year’s state meet, in 12th. “He battled some illness last spring, but is back training consistently,” Eagle coach Nick Hampton said. “He is an incredibly gritty racer.”
Drew Donahue, Centennial
With a relatively open 6A field, Donahue could emerge as a contender following a 23rd-place showing at last year’s state meet. He added a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 at the 2024 state track meet. “An aggressive racer that is fearless,” Rocky Mountain coach Jeff Howard said. “Seems poised for a huge senior year.”
Carson Hacking, Columbia
He moves up to the 5A classification after competing for 2A Victory Charter last season. He is coming off a third-place finish at the district meet and placed fifth at state. During the spring track season, he ran to a runner-up finish in the 1,600 and was sixth in the 3,200. “Already he has shown that he has a great attitude towards running and is willing to do the little, sometimes difficult things that will help him achieve his goals,” Columbia coach Logan Engberg said.
Ace King, Bishop Kelly
The Knights graduated their top two runners from last year, including 5A state champion Jack Tobin. King, who is entering his sophomore year, is the top returning runner among District Three competitors (35th). He was ninth at the district meet. “He is young but he races really smart,” Skyview coach Jason Brown said. “I think he will be battling for the No. 1 spot at the district championships.”
Elias Mack, Nampa Christian
The top returning finisher among District Three runners at last year’s 3A state meet in 15th. He added a third-place showing at the district meet and took fifth in the 300 hurdles at the state track meet in the spring. “Elias is just such a natural athlete,” Nampa Christian coach Zach Dwello said. “He just always is in the pack and in contention. He is a very tough runner and is extremely gifted.”
John Pounds, New Plymouth
He’s the second-best returner among District Three athletes from last year’s 3A state meet in 23rd. He placed fourth at the district meet. Pounds will be a senior. “John is the athlete on the team with the fastest time, and he is always encouraging others to do their best as well,” New Plymouth coach Amber Cable said.
Blake Quinton, Weiser
He finished a little more than 4 seconds behind McCall-Donnelly’s Charlie Speirs for third at the 2024 4A state meet. He’s placed third at the 4A District Three meet the last two seasons. “He has been drastically improving ever since he started,” Weiser coach Scott Hale said.
Charlie Speirs, McCall-Donnelly
Last year’s 4A state runner-up behind Teton senior Zane Lindquist is among the favorites to claim the title in 2025. He placed seventh at state as a freshman and is the reigning 4A District Three champion. He qualified for state track in the 800 (eighth), 1,600 (third) and 3,200 (second). “Poised to continue his dominance again this season, after dominating last year, he continues to show his strong running,” Fruitland coach Derek Howard said.
Hyrum Tuft, Rocky Mountain
Tuft, who is entering his senior season, is the top returner among District Three runners at last year’s 6A state meet in eighth, with eight of the top 10 finishers being seniors. He was fifth at last year’s district meet and 12th at state in 2023. During the spring track season, he placed eighth in the 3,200. “With all those fast seniors gone, he will step up to a district title,” Kuna coach Amanda Kitts said.
Koda VanDahlen, Mountain View
Poised for a breakout senior year, he ran to a 20th-place showing at last year’s 6A state meet. VanDahlen is coming off a runner-up finish in the 1,600 at the 2024 state track meet. “Koda has been training hard at this for four years now and is eager to have state champ next to his name,” Mountain View coach Lauren Horan said. “I fully believe it could be his.”
KEY DATES
Oct. 2: Gary Ward Invite, Lakeview Park (Nampa)
Oct. 9: Boise City Meet, Ann Morrison Park
Oct. 15: Winston Tilzey Invite, West Park (Nampa)
Nov. 1: 6A to 2A state championships, Lewiston
TEAM PREVIEWS
The top runners to watch from each team around Southwest Idaho. Teams not listed did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s survey.
Ambrose: Kylie Herdegen, sr.; Jonny Martin, jr.
Bishop Kelly: Ace King, so.; Jack Haney, jr.; Zach Boroff, sr.
Boise: Luke Bruce, jr.; Ben Hugaboom, sr.; Audrey Orme, sr.; Lucy Spiess, sr.
Borah: Mateo Wright, so.; Syghl Khamas, so.; Kate Groenert, jr.; Nica Ruprecht, jr.; Lucy Johnson, sr.
Caldwell: Camus Book, sr.; Alan Navarro, so.
Cascade: Will Huckaby, jr.; Kate Ellsworth, fr.
Centennial: Drew Donahue, sr.; Annie Herd, jr.; Sawyer Jenson, sr.; Mackenzie Harsch, so.; Daniel Mattox, jr.
Columbia: Carson Hacking, so.; Marinna Robinson, so.; Lucy Priebe, sr.; Lucas Nunez, so.; Gabe Warren, sr.
Eagle: Betsy Reeder, jr.; Josie Roy, sr.; Jeremiah Petersen, sr.; Johnny Culpepper, jr.; Maxwell Taggart, sr.; Andie Roy, sr.
Fruitland: Landon Hillam, jr.; Ella Smith, jr.
Homedale: Gage Brown, sr.; Kegan Hotchkiss, so.; Jesus Monreal, sr.; Camden Sorenson, so.; Cylas Purdom, so.; Wayne Stewart, jr.
Idaho City: Cody Young, sr.; Kaleb Nalder, so.
Kuna: Adric Tait, so.; Patrick White, so.; Bella Bunnell, sr.; Katianna Kallmeyer, fr.
Liberty Charter: River Andrus, jr.; Ava Kelpin, fr.; Oscar Morales, jr.; Eli McLaren, sr.; Aliya Johnson, so.; Ella Ashton, so.
Marsing: Brody Bowers, sr.
Melba: Raziel Manzer, sr.; Tesla Manzer, fr.
Meridian: Logan Payne, sr.; Caleb Knox, sr.; Brycen Bousquet, sr.; BraeLynn Wilding, sr.; Morgan VanKampen, so.; Clay Sallee, so.
Mountain View: Austin Riley, sr.; Koda VanDahlen, sr.; Brynn Burnham, so.; Jewel Pence, so.; Alden Chamberlin, sr.; Clara Lowry, sr.
Nampa: Cohen Leslie, jr.; Sylvia Wells, sr.; Chase Palfreyman, so.; Tailyn Hirchet, so.; Liliana Rupert, fr.
Nampa Christian: Chase Dawson, jr.; Ethan Lee, jr.; Eli Howerzyl, jr.; Elias Mack, jr.; Marley Smith, sr.; Bella Shellenberger, sr.
New Plymouth: John Pounds, sr.
Owyhee: Layla Dressler, so.; Millie McAdams, jr.; Elly Burdick, jr.; Runar Doskeland, sr.; James Campbell, sr.
Parma: Layla Page, jr.
Ridgevue: Carson Bates, so.; Steven Morton, so.; AJ O’Dell, jr.
Rocky Mountain: Hallie Heemeyer, sr.; Hyrum Tuft, sr.; Brooke Thompson, jr.; Thomas Kurtz, sr.; Makelle Carlson, so.; Grant Maybury, sr.
Skyview: Camilla Freeman, sr.; Christopher “Cache” Peterson, sr.; Marylee Freeman, so.
Timberline: Sasha Livingston, sr.; Nadia Kouskov, so.; Royal Colley, sr.; Brandon Dye, sr.
Tri-Valley: Adelyn Barton, sr.; Macki Winkles, fr.; Mary Lancaster, fr.
Vallivue: Caera Renfro, jr.; Jackson Hesterman, so.; Sayda OConnor, sr.; Carter Blackner, jr.; Kiva Torres, so.; Ethan Williamson, so.
Victory Charter: Caleb Schlerf, sr.; Alyssa Hust, so.; Libby Stockett, jr.; JD Willey, so.; Alyssa Lee, so.; Leah Ray, so.
Weiser: Claire Matthews, sr.; Corianna Parsons, jr.; Blake Quinton, sr.; Ammon Anderson, jr.
This story was originally published August 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
