* Maysen Fletcher (853) is one of the fastest underclassmen in the country
Photo Credit: Dan Loughlin/MileSplit North Carolina
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The Midwest and East Coast were treated to spectacular racing over the weekend with the likes of the Great American XC Festival and the Alexander/Asics Invitational stealing the spotlight.
A pair of freshman and sophomores gave us a glimpse of what's to come, making their presence known in a few big-time races.
Even in a world where upperclassmen are typically on top, these four young standouts are holding their own and make up the fourth edition of Future Stars for the 2024 season.
MAYSEN FLETCHER
Herbert Hoover (W.V.)
Class of 2028
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As an eighth-grader, Fletcher finished tenth at Nike Indoor Nationals in the 5000m, running 17:18.55. Over half of a year later, the Herbert Hoover freshman has won five out of eight races and has run under 18:00 three times. Over the weekend, Fletcher toed the line in what was one of the most competitive races she's competed in up to this point, the Race of Champions at the Great American XC Festival. Fletcher finished 10th overall in 17:51. Right now, the freshman is the No. 2 runner in West Virginia, and the second-ranked freshman this season. Fletcher already got back to the grind this week, winning the Cardinal Conference title in 19:00.
DASH BRACKIN
Carrollton (Ga.)
Class of 2028
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After just his second-ever 5k race as a high schooler, Bracken has quickly cemented himself as one of the top up-and-coming distance stars. At the Alexander/Asics Invitational in Fairburn, Georgia, Brackin finished fourth overall in 15:05:08, a 20-second improvement from his previous best. Brackin was the lone underclassman in the top-15 and was 38 seconds quicker than the next fastest freshman. In a state loaded with distance talent, Brackin ranks No. 6 in all of Georgia and sits No. 3 in the state's 6A class. The next great runner out of the Peach State is also the fastest freshman in state history, and No. 10 all-time at the national level.
Bowdon (Ga.)
Class of 2027
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Five races, five top-two finishes, and no signs of slowing down! Averi Lowen is in the midst of a breakthrough sophomore campaign after a freshman season that never saw her run under 20:00. Since August, Lowen has broken 18:00 all but once, with her fastest performance coming this past weekend in Georgia at the Alexander/Asics Invitational. Despite going head-to-head with a field of nearly 300 runners, Lowen took care of business, taking the win in 17:11.33, a 37-second personal best. Not only is Lowen currently the fastest high school girl in Georgia this season, but she's already up to No. 6 on the state's all-time list.
KAMARI RONFELDT
Ann Arbor Pioneer (Mich.)
Class of 2027
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After a long freshman track season that saw Ronfedlt run 4:18 and 9:09 in the 1600m and 3200m, the Ann Arbor Pioneer (Mich.) prodigy opened up his sophomore season with a win at the Portage XC Invitational, breaking the tape in 15:02.3. Ronfeldt had a tremendous debut season a year ago, but he's already faster than he ever way a year ago, and he's only raced once. Ronfeldt joins a very prestigious list of winners in Portage, joining the likes of two-time Olympic medalist Grant Fisher and Michigan legend Hunter Jones. For now, Ronfeldt is the second-fastest sophomore in Michigan history, 22 seconds faster than Grant Fisher was when he was that age.