Over the past several decades, no shortage of standout high school runners have emerged from the Eugene-Springfield area.

As the 2025 prep cross-country season inches closer, here is a look back at some of the south Willamette Valley's top distance runners of the past 15 years. The list features athletes who were among the fastest in Oregon on a 5,000-meter course during a given season, as well as those who captured an individual cross-country title.

2024

Malachi Schoenherr (Sheldon) 14 minutes, 46.4 seconds

Yosuke Shibata (South Eugene) 14:59.6

Carter Bengtson (Cottage Grove) 2023 and 2024 Class 4A state champion

2023

Adam Reeder (Sheldon) 15:15.6

Artana Nice (North Eugene) 18:01.4

2021

Asher McKinnon (South Eugene) 14:48.3

2020

Anika Thompson (Junction City) Class 4A state ch

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