Summer training is in full swing across Florida. Athletes are starting to put in the mileage, teams are looking at filling their schedules, and the state's top distance runners are putting in the work that will pay off this fall. Many of the athletes who carried their seasons into postseason track meets and national competitions are beginning to shift their focus back to the upcoming cross season.
With another season quickly approaching, it's time for our first preseason look at the team landscape.
Over the next several days, we'll be breaking down the top returning teams in each of the FHSAA's new classifications. These rankings are based on the updated classification assignments for the 2026 season and give us an early snapshot of which programs return the strongest teams on paper. (*Please let us know if any are incorrect.)
It's important, however, to remember exactly what these early, pre-season rankings measure.
These projections are based solely on each returning athlete's 5K personal best from the 2025 cross country season. They don't account for offseason improvement, incoming freshmen, school transfers, injuries, or any of the countless variables that can make cross country one of the most unpredictable sports.
Some teams will undoubtedly make huge jumps by November. Others will develop runners who weren't on anyone's radar a year ago. But if you're looking for a data-driven starting point to see what teams may look like this fall, these rankings offer a great place to begin.
4A Girls 5000 Meter Run Finals Team Scores
