Class of 2026 Mid Distance and Distance Runner Recruits

Sorry, I was referring to Drake Relays 3200m record, and the fastest 5k ran INSIDE of the state of Iowa.

Kate Foltz from Tuscola, Illinois is committed to Notre Dame (per her instagram)

check the Google Sheet!

Melachi Schoenherr of OR just announced verbal commitment to BYU

Jordan Banta to NAU

Adrianna Buitelaar out of Canada to Colorado

Annika Swan to Wake Forest

I didn’t know there were Milesplit websites for Canadian provinces. I thought it was only for the states. This is awesome!

bc.milesplit.com

BC Future Stars: Adrianna Buitelaar!

Katherine Lucas

This week, we\'re shining the spotlight on an exceptional athlete making waves in the middle and long-distance running scene: meet Adrianna Buitelaar!

Open link

The Garmers are heading to Furman

docs.google.com

Class of 2026 College Commitments.xlsx

Open link

Chloe Elbaz (JSerra) -> UCLA

Lindsay Zimmer (Cathedral Catholic San Diego) also just announced that she is going to UCLA.

Scout troops for the coming invasion.🤔

Here is what I have so far in the document

Adrianna Buitelaar - Colorado
Alyson Johnson - Colorado
Calysta Garmer - Furman
Jazzlyn Garmer - Furman
Addison Ritzenhein - NAU
Jordan Banta - NAU
Kate Foltz - Notre Dame
Chloe Elbaz - UCLA
Lindsay Zimmer - UCLA
Annika Swan - Wake Forest

Melachi Schoenherr - BYU
Jaden Merrick - Colorado

At NIN I think they announced BYU commit Lily Alder at starting line or could have been Jane Hedengren, either way makes sense.

thanks - Jane is class of 2025. I have not seen a Lily announcement but almost certainly will be BYU for her (class of 2026)

This is kinda crazy. I’m not that old but I remember the July 1 before your senior year being the kick off date to speak with coaches.

Such a risk on both sides, these kids haven’t even run outdoor as juniors? Coaches could leave, programs could change conferences.

On the college side it would be a risk as well. Kid could tank, get injured, family situations pop up. Soo many factors. But they transfer portal is in place for a reason

Well it is only verbal at this point at least on the part of the athlete. Whether the school could back away from whatever they offered I do not know.

All of this early commit stuff is funny.

I mean beyond the top top distance schools like byu, nd, stanford, nau... why would a kid feel the need to verbal commit to some of these schools? it's not like they (the school) are in super demand or something.

besides both sides can change their minds... there is no contract at this point.

if i'm a hs junior, i'd wait and not let a coach force me to decide now.

but that's just me

It's often a mutual decision. Kid/parents lock in the decision, and don't have to hassle with it sr yr. Coach has more certainty in planning.

Sure there is risk, but I have never heard any of these early commits being screwed.

Bigger problem is kid who commits to FSU early for example, then sr yr is top 3 in nation suddenly getting interest from Oregon, Washington and NAU.