8. Daniel Skandera
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School: Unattached (Ala.)
Year: 2026
College: Uncommitted
2023 Notable XC Finishes: 1st at the RunningLane Cross Country Championships, 14th at the Foot Locker Southern Regional, and 2nd at the 51st Annual Trailblazer Invitational.
Analysis: Defending RunningLane Cross Country champion Daniel Skandera, who competes as a homeschooled runner unattached, made a significant impact in the 2023 season. Previously a world-record holder as a child, Skandera made a notable return to the national stage with his performance at RunningLane. After finishing 14th at Foot Locker South in November, he concentrated his efforts on RunningLane, where he was determined to improve on his fourth-place finish from the previous year. Familiar with the challenging, muddy course, Skandera strategically made his move after the 2-mile mark. His decisive push propelled him to the front, and he crossed the finish line in 15:05.30, securing his first national title and capping off a remarkable season that saw him run only 3 races.
In the spring, Skandera also had a significant season which saw him set a new 1600m PR of 4:10.80, win the 3200m title and set a new PR (8:53.41) at the HXN T&F Championships, and add another 3200m title at the Music City Track Carnival with a time of 8:58.60.
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON BOYS INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS
*Click on the athlete names below for analysis
RANK | ATHLETE |
|---|---|
| 25 | Jack Bowen, McCallie School (Tenn.) |
| 24 | Luke Pash, Ridgewood HS (N.J.) |
| 23 | Alex Fisher, Loomis Chaffee (Conn.) |
| 22 | Benjamin Anderson, Mountain Vista (Colo.) |
| 21 | Riku Sugie, Thomas Nelson (Ky.) |
| 20 | Jack Graffeo, Westford Academy (Mass.) |
| 19 | Caden Leonard, Carroll (Ore.) |
| 18 | Landon Pretre, Menlo School (Calif.) |
| 17 | Tayvon Kitchen, Crater (Ore.) |
| 16 | Josiah Tostenson, Crater (Ore.) |
| 15 | Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.) |
| 14 | Eli Fitchen-Young, Santa Cruz (Calif.) |
| 13 | Kaden Evans, American Fork (Utah) |
| 12 | Owen Powell, Mercer Island (Wash.) |
| 11 | Tommy Latham, Marist (Ga.) |
| 10 | Broen Holman, Sonora (Calif.) |
| 9 | Joe Barrett, Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.) |
| 8 | Daniel Skandera, Unattached (Ala.) |
| 7 | Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (Nebr.) |
| 6 | TJ Hansen, Freeland (Ore.) |
| 5 | Robert Mechura, Roseville (Minn.) |
| 4 | Evan Noonan, Dana Hills (Calif.) |
| 3 | Tamrat (Tam) Gavenas, Phillips Academy Andover (Mass.) |
| 2 | Manny Putz, Onalaska (Wisc.) |
| 1 | Ty Steorts, Hurricance (W. Va.) |