Fastest 8th Grader in the nation?

There’s another 8th grader in MN Cameron Stocke that runs for Virginia HS who ran a 4:26 this spring and a 16:05 last fall. He ran a 16:12 and beat McArthur at NXR.

Lakeville North has 2 solid 8th graders also. One ran a 1:57/4:30 this spring and a 16:45 last fall. The other ran a 4:49/10:20 this spring and a 16:45 last fall. They were both in LN’s top 4 for XC. They also have another 8th grader who finished 2nd in the JV section 1AA meet behind their 8th runner (sophomore) and ended up as LN’s 9th runner. Their XC team will be pretty solid for the next few years. They have a good top 5 set for next fall already. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go to state next fall by taking second behind Farmington even though LN is graduating 4 seniors including their front runner. There are teams in that section that finished around LN and Farmington that are graduating lots of varsity seniors too.

Mankato East also has another 8th grader who ran a 4:42. They got 5th in the section 2AA meet and 3rd at conference in XC. They are returning all of their 1-6 and some more depth beyond that. Section 2AA Runner-ups Willmar will be moving out of that section next fall. If he does XC next year, Mankato East will have an even better chance win conference and section and go to state. If they do, it will mean they have come a long way since 2013 when they got last in many meets. This will be somewhat like Loudoun Valley, who finished in the bottom half of many races before 2013, and now are back to back NXN champs who will be going for a three-peat this fall.

Next year’s MN boys freshman class will be pretty solid. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s faster than MN’s sophomore class at the top.

Regarding the original post and the SC kid named Dolan Owens, it appears he ran a nice 1500 in 3:51 in March but hasn’t competed since. He did win a state XC title as a senior and ran 1:55/3:51/4:19/9:12.

Dream big wrote:

Dream big wrote:

Just about to say look out for this kid... I run in his section, and for true team he took 3rd to two runners who ran 4:15 and 4:17 he ran a 4:22 and he had a great cross country campaign and he’s easily the fastest I’ve ever seen a kid his age, I’m in 9th grade btw

Don’t know how much faster he’s going to get as he likes like your typical 5” 8-10 fast sophomore or junior, I think he’s already very mature but wouldn’t be surprised if he keeps cutting Time

Sorry also forgot to add, there coach was talking with my dad and he said he has done no speedwork with him to make sure he doesn’t burn out. 4:22 as an 8th grader with no speed work.

He did some speed work during the last XC season in the Mounds View Workout Wednesday video

Well, the New York State Girls HS 200m champ in 2018 was in 7th grade. I believe 12 years old. Ran 25 and change. That’s pretty crazy

Just to toss another name of an 8th grader (a girl) into this conversation: Lauren Ping (Cotter Schools, Winona, MN).

Just turned 14 a month ago. Ran a 4:50.64 1600 (ftw) @ the Hamline Elite Meet two days later. Then doubled back and also won the 3200 (by 13 seconds) about 90 minutes later.

She's currently #1 in Minnesota at both distances.

No other 8th grade girl in the country (not a single one that I can think of) can run a sub-5 at the present, but she's run a 4:50!

Minnesota XC Fan wrote:

Just to toss another name of an 8th grader (a girl) into this conversation: Lauren Ping (Cotter Schools, Winona, MN).

Just turned 14 a month ago. Ran a 4:50.64 1600 (ftw) @ the Hamline Elite Meet two days later. Then doubled back and also won the 3200 (by 13 seconds) about 90 minutes later.

She's currently #1 in Minnesota at both distances.

No other 8th grade girl in the country (not a single one that I can think of) can run a sub-5 at the present, but she's run a 4:50!

4:03 mile on 6/28/19 in Raleigh at Sir Walter Pop up miles. 1:50 800 in Atlanta in May

Minnesota XC Fan wrote:

Just to toss another name of an 8th grader (a girl) into this conversation: Lauren Ping (Cotter Schools, Winona, MN).

Just turned 14 a month ago. Ran a 4:50.64 1600 (ftw) @ the Hamline Elite Meet two days later. Then doubled back and also won the 3200 (by 13 seconds) about 90 minutes later.

She's currently #1 in Minnesota at both distances.

No other 8th grade girl in the country (not a single one that I can think of) can run a sub-5 at the present, but she's run a 4:50!

Gee thanks, pal, I'm sure nobody else on LRC has ever heard of her until just now...

Hootie Hage - Prior Lake - 16:14

Sam Scott - MPLS Southwest - 16:18

He will be one to keep an eye on.. Averages 20 mpw.

Reece Bluestein - Hammond School (SC) - 16:08

Mancoon wrote:

He will be one to keep an eye on.. Averages 20 mpw.

Hopefully he doesn’t burn out or constantly get injured, which happened to many people who were so good so young

MN, NY, SC, FL, ND, and SD are some of the few states that allow 7th and 8th graders compete on the high school varsity level. Most don’t. And middle school results are usually not listed on Milesplit. That’s why on Milesplit, MN seems to have many top 5k times in the nation for 8th grade boys a lot.

Back in the day - Kevin Sullivan ran 1:53 for the 800 as a 14 year old. That's ridiculous...

Miller 1:51.23 at 14

1:56.x at 13

Salvador Wirth - Annandale - 16:21

Gannon Farens - Maple Grove - 16:22

I really don't get these threads on 8th graders. Are we looking for the next world champ out of these times? Let a kid be a kid. Times are good, but let him develop.......and it's a little creepy to be typing about 8th graders....

why bump a 6 year old thread?