​The high school sports season has arrived in the Texas Panhandle and the first cross country meets of the 2026 campaign are on the horizon.The 2026 season should be another solid year for the Amarillo area after Canyon won the Class 4A state title in 2025. Gruver placed third in Class 2A at the 2025 UIL State Cross Country meet, while multiple runners also turned in solid individual performances.Following a successful campaign from a handful of teams, there are a few returning standouts to watch during the 2026 season.With the upcoming campaign kicking off soon, the Amarillo Globe-News wants to hear who fans and local community members think is the area’s Preseason Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year.More: Canyon boys, girls cross country teams sweep UIL state meet for second consecutive seasonMore: Inside Canyon cross country’s dominance, how the Eagles built a distance-running dynastyMore: Canyon, Gruver place first in boys, girls team standings at Region I cross country meetThe poll will be open from Friday, Aug. 14, to 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, and the winner will be announced shortly after.NomineesGael Alvarez, Sr., BookerAustin Baca, Jr., GruverJoseph Dominguez, Sr., CanadianJacob Erickson, Jr., PerrytonFatah Farey, So., Palo DuroMicah Ferrel, Jr., ValleyChase Fritcher, Jr., Boys RanchNoah Holland, Sr., West PlainsAsher Jennings, So., HartleyJosiah Lopez, Jr., FarwellAvram Morales, So., HartDomenic San Miguel, Sr., CanyonLane Taylor, So., Claude