Through the start of the 2026 season, the Highland boys team is showing why they could be a a contender once again, come November.
The Hawks return a strong lineup, four of their scoring five and six of seven runners from the team that won the AIA Division I state title last fall.
And this year's team may be even deeper.
Depth Is The Name Of The Game
At last year's state championships, Highland's fifth scorer crossed the line in 16:57.9, while the seventh man finished in 17:13.
This fall, Highland already has six runners that have run faster than 16:57.9.
Junior Brandon Delancey currently leads the way at 15:57.69, followed by junior Phineas Zlotoff at 16:06.17.
Behind them, Easton Askew has run 16:20.09, Ethan Nielsen is at 16:20.80 and Brayden McLauchlin has clocked 16:24.30. Mason Ostermeyer has run 16:45.93, and Noah Roberts gives Highland a seventh man at 17:03.00.
There current seven runners sit within roughly 65 seconds of each other and just a 26-second spread between Highland's current No. 1 and No. 5. This is the makings of a strong pack. For a team with championship experience already under its belt, that depth could be hard to compete with.
The Hawks Are Already Rolling
Highland High has already shown glimpses of what they can do this fall.
The Hawks won the team title at the Western Equinox XC Invite, putting together an early season statement from the defending champions. However, one week later, Highland finished fifth at the 42nd Annual Ojo Rojo Invite on Sept. 11, so there is still work to be done.
Highland has championship experience, most of last year's team is back and is a group that already appears capable of running deeper than the one that won it all last fall.
The Hawks were crowned champions of Division I in 2025. Now, they have their eyes set on doing it again.
Through the start of the 2026 season, the Highland boys team is showing why they could be a a contender once again, come November.
The Hawks return a strong lineup, four of their scoring five and six of seven runners from the team that won the AIA Division I state title last fall.
And this year's team may be even deeper.