​Here are the nominees for The State Journal-Register’s preseason cross country runner of the year for 2026. The poll closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 11. Read about the nominees here. The nominees include former SJ-R runners of the year Ali Londrigan of Chatham Glenwood, Liam Bettis of Taylorville and Paityn Brady of Sacred Heart-Griffin. Other nominees include Williamsville’s Lucas Hollinshead, Ryan Patrick and Joelle Wilson; Lincoln’s Preston Short, Pierce King and Taylor Short; Glenwood’s Adam Galvan and Sophie Rentmeister; Taylorville’s Elayna Harker; Niantic Sangamon Valley’s Hadley Fleck; Lutheran’s Lydia Woody; Jacksonville Routt’s Millie Schumacher; Havana’s Kasyn Jibben; Rochester’s Jonah Cunningham; Springfield High’s Collin Nolte.