Rowan Barry rose above the rest of Maine's Class of 2026 this fall, delivering a standout senior campaign that set her apart on every stage. Barry posted the fastest 5K time in the state this season with her 18:01 victory at the Southern Maine Classic. After a brief midseason setback, she responded with an impressive string of championship performances, capturing titles at the WMC Championship, the Southern Maine Class B Regional, and ultimately the Class B State Meet.
Recently committed to Cornell, Barry capped her season by earning All-New England honors, solidifying her place among the region's best. For her exceptional consistency and dominance throughout the fall, she has been named the MileSplit Maine Senior Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Freeport's Alex Gilbert put together a storybook senior season, dominating every race he entered in Maine. Gilbert went undefeated against in-state competition, stacking up marquee victories at the Southern Maine Classic, Maine Festival of Champions, WMC Championship, Southern Maine Class B Regional, and the Class B State Championship.
He capped his remarkable run by finishing as the top Maine athlete at the New England Championship, placing 14th in a deep regional field. For his unbeaten season and overwhelming consistency, Gilbert has been named the MileSplit Maine Senior Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Girls' top 10 fastest 5k's class of 2026
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18:01.46 | 2026 | ||
| 2 | 18:09.90 | 2026 | ||
| 3 | 18:29.82 | 2026 | ||
| 4 | 18:30.00 | 2026 | ||
| 5 | 18:48.32 | 2026 | ||
| 6 | 18:52.99 | 2026 | ||
| 7 | 19:00.83 | 2026 | ||
| 8 | 19:01.78 | 2026 | ||
| 9 | 19:25.98 | 2026 | ||
| 10 | 19:29.66 | 2026 |
Top Senior Girls' at state meet
2 Rowan Barry 12 Greely High School 19:10.90 1 2 5 Laurel Driscoll 12 Scarborough 19:29.88 2 7 Bryanna Hagopian 12 Madison 19:36.05 3 6 9 Lucy Huggett 12 Freeport 19:38.06 1 8 10 Clara White 12 Orono High School 19:42.70 3 9 11 Gretchen Plant 12 Hampden Academy 19:52.30 2 10 14 Madelyn Hutchins 12 York High School 20:06.11 1 13 15 Marina Violette 12 Bonny Eagle 20:06.24 2 14 21 Ava Collamore 12 Medomak Valley 20:33.64 1 24 Maya Sanzone 12 Marshwood 20:40.35 2 21
Boys' top 10 fastest 5k's class of 2026
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15:40.95 | 2026 | ||
| 2 | 15:53.49 | 2026 | ||
| 3 | 16:02.51 | 2026 | ||
| 4 | 16:04.89 | 2026 | ||
| 5 | 16:13.74 | 2026 | ||
| 6 | 16:15.31 | 2026 | ||
| 7 | 16:18.40 | 2026 | ||
| 8 | 16:31.39 | 2026 | ||
| 9 | 16:34.70 | 2026 | Medomak XC meet2nd F | |
| 10 | 16:41.27 | 2026 |
Top Senior Boys' at state meet
1 Henri Rivard 12 Marshwood 16:30.92 1 2 Ellis Wood 12 Deering High School 16:31.81 1 1 4 Asher Valentine 12 Hampden Academy 16:34.41 1 3 5 Alex Gilbert 12 Freeport 16:35.14 2 4 6 Enzo Giampaolo 12 Lewiston 16:44.50 1 8 Harper Borden 12 Edward Little 16:51.44 1 6 9 Levi Riggs 12 Morse High School 16:52.25 2 12 Calvin Vincent 12 Edward Little 17:11.52 1 9 14 Gunnar Weil 12 Hampden Academy 17:20.05 1 11 15 Peter Rank 12 Deering High School 17:21.92 1 12