Eighth-grader RJ Destremps of the Hillsborough Harriers made an undeniable splash on both the Florida and national youth track and field scene during his sixth and seventh-grade seasons. In 2023, he was the elementary boys runner-up at the FLYRA Middle School State Cross Country Championships, where he ran a 7:02.20 in the 2000m.
He followed that with back-to-back undefeated seasons in the 1500m; he claimed the 2023 and 2024 AAU Junior Olympic Games titles in the event with impressive times of 4:52.75 and 4:38.61, respectively. In 2024, he completed the AAU Junior Olympic distance double by capturing the 3000m title alongside his 1500m title in 9:45.82.
However, the path of a rising athlete is rarely without its hurdles. Destremps faced significant adversity over the last year or so, battling injuries that slowed his 2025 and 2026 track seasons.
But this fall, he is officially back and making up for lost time.
Returning to the cross country course with renewed strength, Destremps has already won at the Jim Ryun Invitational (10:08.30) and the Florida Horse Park Invitational (9:53.77). He also grabbed a hard-fought second-place finish at Running on the Range Under the Lights, crossing the line in 10:01.00.
Currently ranked as the No. 2 middle school boy in the 3000m, he has once again demonstrated his resilience and natural ability. Keep a close eye on RJ Destremps this season and as he transitions into high school; he is undoubtedly one of Florida's brightest young rising FUTURE STARS.
Eighth-grader RJ Destremps of the Hillsborough Harriers made an undeniable splash on both the Florida and national youth track and field scene during his sixth and seventh-grade seasons. In 2023, he was the elementary boys runner-up at the FLYRA Middle School State Cross Country Championships, where he ran a 7:02.20 in the 2000m.
He followed that with back-to-back undefeated seasons in the 1500m; he claimed the 2023 and 2024 AAU Junior Olympic Games titles in the event with impressive times of 4:52.75 and 4:38.61, respectively. In 2024, he completed the AAU Junior Olympic distance double by capturing the 3000m title alongside his 1500m title in 9:45.82.
However, the path of a rising athlete is rarely without its hurdles. Destremps faced significant adversity over the last year or so, battling injuries that slowed his 2025 and 2026 track seasons.
