They’re Up Next: Nine Central Illinois boys cross country runners with big potential
- Jonathan Michel
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Clutch Sports Media’s “They’re Up Next” series highlights several Central Illinois athletes to watch in each upcoming fall sport who are juniors or younger for the 2025-26 season.
Peoria and Bloomington/Normal are hubs for running talent year after year. Home of some of the state’s biggest races each fall, Central Illinois cross country teams and runners get to enjoy them in their own backyard.
Last season, seniors like Eureka’s Tucker Hinkle, Elmwood/Brimfield’s Mika Nelson, Morton’s Christian Harris and Washington’s Fisher Rinkenberger were among many of the area’s best. But a new crop of runners in the Class of 2027 and younger are already on track to cement themselves in that same category.
With the 2025-26 IHSA cross country season kicking off in just over one month, here are nine standouts who look to be on the radar of the area’s best young talent.
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