The 2026 cross country season is beginning to pick up speed.
Over the course of just two days, runners from across the region lined up at three different meets — the Bob Frank Run with the Elk, Versailles Warm Up, and Hot Dawg Cross Country Invitational — producing plenty of fast times and standout performances.
From Peck Ranch to Versailles and Aurora, the courses offered different challenges, but the goal was the same: race hard, test early-season fitness and continue building toward the championship meets later this fall.
Street Leads the Way at Bob Frank Run with the Elk
The Bob Frank Run with the Elk opened the two-day stretch Wednesday at Peck Ranch Conservation Area, where Van Buren's Landon
Street turned in the fastest boys varsity performance of the meet.
Street covered the course in 17:59.68, becoming the only runner to break the 18-minute mark. Liberty (Mountain View)'s Ethan Dodd followed in second at 18:34.96, while East Carter teammates Chayse Bradshaw and Zander Reynolds finished third and fourth in 18:52.55 and 19:15.81.
East Carter put together an impressive team showing, placing three runners among the first seven finishers. Twin Rivers was also well represented near the front, led by Eli Hequembourg, who finished fifth in 19:59.11.
The girls varsity race belonged to Myla SchrimSher of Doniphan, who crossed the finish line first in 22:19.44. Salem's Zoey Elliott was close behind in 22:49.20, while Doniphan teammate Kinsley McGonigal ran 24:17.37 for third.
East Carter's Brooklyn Hampton and Alivia Miller rounded out the top five, giving East Carter two runners inside the top five and Doniphan two inside the top three.
Stover Sweeps the Top Two at Versailles
While the runners at Peck Ranch were wrapping up, another group of athletes was competing at the Versailles Warm Up.
Stover dominated the top of the boys varsity standings, with Kashawn Martin taking the win in 18:37.57 and teammate Lason Thompson finishing second in 19:08.39.
California's Zander Borghardt broke up the Stover sweep, placing third in 19:16.63. Stover then put two more runners — Wyatt Knight and Dylan Brodersen — inside the top five.
Versailles was led by Codie Draeger, who finished seventh overall in 20:45.59. Teammates Gabriel Baker, Landon Fields, Mark Sprinkles and Logan Shelton also finished among the top 12.
The girls race provided a hometown victory as Elysha Wilkins of Versailles crossed first in 22:34.98. Stover's Gabriell Sidebottom finished just 20 seconds behind in 22:55.44, while Versailles' Makynna Wilhelm took third in 23:46.90.
Versailles showed its depth as well, placing four runners in the top eight, with Maiyah Hopper sixth, Parker Earnest seventh and Lilly Guinnip eighth.
Ross Makes a Statement at the Hot Dawg Invitational
The cross country action continued Thursday at the Hot Dawg Cross Country Invitational in Aurora, and Reeds Spring's Anna Ross delivered one of the most impressive performances of the three-meet stretch.
Ross won the girls varsity race in 19:17.85, more than two minutes ahead of second-place finisher Ally Barton of Liberal, who finished in 22:12.41. Cassville's Hattie Lyons was third at 22:45.12.
McDonald County also made its presence known, placing four runners among the top 14, led by Keilyn Torres-Blancas in sixth, Leah Nix in seventh and Karen Salas in ninth.
In the boys race, Luke Faulkner of Spokane came away with the victory in 18:06.96. Pierce City's Eli Adams was runner-up in 18:20.36, followed by McDonald County's Anthony Blancas Ayala in 19:04.56.
Spokane's depth was evident throughout the race. In addition to Faulkner's victory, Richard Facas, Isaiah Verge and Matthew Blake all finished inside the top 10, giving Spokane four of the meet's first 10 finishers.
The Season Is Just Getting Started
Three meets. Two days. Dozens of teams and hundreds of runners.
And if these early results are any indication, the 2026 cross country season is shaping up to be an exciting one.
Runners are already turning in sub-20-minute performances, teams are showing impressive depth and early-season leaders are beginning to emerge. But with plenty of racing still ahead, there is a long way to go before conference, district and state championship races arrive.
For ActNow Racing, the busy week was another opportunity to provide professional timing and results for athletes, coaches and families throughout the region.
Congratulations to everyone who competed this week — and we'll see you at the finish line!