As we dive into the 2024 Florida high school cross country season, the 4A division is brimming with talent and potential. The graduation of Riley Smith, who dominated last year with a 15:05 state championship victory and went on to run an impressive 8:39 for 3200m on the track, has left the field wide open. This year’s rankings reflect a mix of established stars looking to claim the crown and up-and-coming talents ready to make their mark on the state stage.

Here are our top 10 boys 4A cross country runners to watch in Florida for the 2024 season:

  1. Demetrie Meyers (Buchholz, Jr): Recent transfer from PA. Finished 4th at Florida Horse Park last year with 15:29. Ran 9:21 for 2 miles on the track. Will face tough competition from his teammates for the top spot in 4A.

  2. Samuel Freas (Buchholz, So): Finished 10th at Florida Horse Park (16:00). Placed 7th in the 3200m at track state meet with a time of 9:25.

  3. Parker Banzhaf (Vero Beach, Jr): Won both the Wickham Jamboree (15:55) and the Indian River Fairgrounds XC Invitational (16:12). Beat teammate Kennan Willard by 31 seconds.

  4. Kennan Willard (Vero Beach, Jr): Won the Astronaut Invitational (16:16). Has a PR of 16:01 from 2022 Pre-State meet. Looks to be coming back into form his senior year.

  5. Axel Sallault (East Ridge): Placed 8th at Cecil Field (15:44) and 2nd at Astronaut Invitational (16:20). Finished 5th in the 3200m at track state meet (9:23).

  6. Gino Palazzolo (Buchholz, Jr): Opened his season at the Florida Horse Park Invitational with 16:16. Top returner in 4A from last year’s state meet (10th, 15:45). Ran 9:05 for 3200m in May.

  7. Nate Corkran (Nease, Jr): Opened his season at Middleburg with a 5th place finish (16:39). Ran 9:27 for 3200m at track state meet. Nease has a history of success at state.

  8. Jacob Campbell (Fleming Island): Ran 16:04 for 11th at Florida Horse Park. Was 15:59 at Cecil Field. Has a 3200m PR of 9:28 from last track season.

  9. Caden Baker (George Jenkins, Jr): Was 12th at Florida Horse Park with 16:06. Won the Whitmire classic the week before in 16:20. Is the number 3 returner from last year.

  10. Braedyn Wormeck (Flagler Palm Coast, Jr): Number 2 returner in the state having run 15:48 last season for 11th. Has had a slow start this season running 17:28 at the Spikes and Spurs Classic. Has a PR of 9:40 from 2023. Might be the dark horse in the rankings.