Missouri runners to watch: Class 2 girls

Now that the season is underway, it’s time to take a look at some Kansas City area runners who will be names to watch this fall. There will always be surprises along the way, but here are a few names to keep an eye out for during the next two months.

1. Lexington's Addison Smith has established herself as the standard in Class 3 girls cross country, winning back-to-back Missouri state championships as a sophomore in 2024 and a junior in 2025. 

After placing 19th at the state meet as a freshman in 2023, Smith quickly developed into one of the state's most dominant distance runners. As the defending two-time state champion, she enters her senior season with an opportunity to join an elite group of athletes by capturing a third consecutive state title.

Smith's dominance extended to the track during the 2026 season. She finished as the Class 3 state runner-up in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races while also placing seventh in the 800 meters. 

Her ability to compete at an elite level across three distance events highlights her versatility and championship pedigree. With an already remarkable resume, Smith enters the fall as the clear favorite to defend her cross country crown once again.

2. Lexington freshman Ellie Lichte wasted little time announcing herself as one of Missouri's brightest young stars. 

In her first high school cross country season, she finished as the Class 3 state runner-up in 2025, an impressive accomplishment that immediately placed her among the state's elite distance runners. Her outstanding debut gives her a strong foundation as she begins what promises to be an exceptional high school career, with her biggest competition possibly coming from her teammate Addison Smith.

Lichte elevated her status even further during the 2026 track and field season. She captured Class 3 state championships in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races while adding a third-place finish in the 800 meters. Already one of the state's premier young distance runners, Lichte enters her sophomore cross country season as a legitimate contender to challenge for the individual state title.

3. Lexington's Phoebe Engelbrecht has been a consistent all-state performer during her first two years of high school competition. 

After earning a 10th-place finish at the 2024 Missouri State Cross Country Championships as a freshman, she improved to fifth as a sophomore in 2025, firmly establishing herself among the top runners in Class 3.

Engelbrecht carried that momentum into the 2026 track season, earning third place in the 3,200 meters and fourth in the 1,600 meters at the state meet. Her continued improvement and ability to compete at the highest level in both cross country and track make her one of the top returning contenders entering her junior season.

4. Lexington's Natalie Adkins made an impressive first appearance at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships, finishing 22nd as a freshman in 2025. 

Competing against a talented field, Adkins demonstrated the poise and potential to become another standout runner in Lexington's tradition-rich distance program.

With three years of high school competition still ahead of her, Adkins has plenty of opportunity to continue climbing the state rankings. Her strong freshman campaign provides an excellent foundation as she looks to develop into one of Class 3's top runners.

5. Barstow's Elizabeth Patry enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2025, making significant strides on the state stage. 

After finishing 69th at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships as a freshman in 2024, Patry improved to 24th as a sophomore, showcasing the steady development that has made her one of the top returning runners in Class 3.

Entering her junior season, Patry has valuable postseason experience and the momentum that comes from a major improvement at the state meet. If she continues on that trajectory, she has the potential to contend for all-state honors in the seasons ahead.

6. Adrian's Kenzie Coons emerged as one of Class 3's promising young distance runners during the 2025 season, finishing 31st at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships as a sophomore. 

Her performance against a competitive state field demonstrated her ability to compete with some of Missouri's top runners while gaining valuable championship experience.

With two seasons remaining in her high school career, Coons has positioned herself for continued success. Her sophomore performance provides a solid foundation, and she enters the upcoming season as a runner capable of making another significant jump in the state standings.