Missouri runners to watch: Class 3 boys and 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. Odessa's Natalie Doney has been one of the most consistent distance runners in Missouri throughout her high school career, improving her state finish in each of her first three cross country seasons. 

After placing 50th as a freshman in 2023 and 28th as a sophomore in 2024, Doney earned her second all-state honor with a 16th-place finish at the 2025 Missouri State Cross Country Championships.

Doney continued to build on that success during the 2026 track and field season, placing 10th in the 1,600-meter run at the state meet. 

Heading into her senior season, she brings a wealth of postseason experience and has established herself as one of the top returning runners in Class 3. With another year of development, Doney has the potential to finish her cross country career with her highest state finish yet.

2. Oak Grove's Hannah Smith made a significant leap during her junior season, emerging as one of the top distance runners in Class 3. 

After finishing 65th at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships as a sophomore in 2024, Smith improved to a 23rd-place finish in 2025.

Now entering her senior season, Smith has valuable state meet experience and the momentum that comes from a breakout junior campaign. 

As she looks to build on last year's success, she will be a key leader for Oak Grove and a runner capable of climbing even higher in the state standings.

3. St. Michael the Archangel's Isabella Rosenberg has consistently competed among Missouri's top distance runners throughout her high school career. 

After placing 33rd at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships as a freshman in 2023, she broke into the state's elite with an eighth-place finish as a sophomore in 2024. Rosenberg followed that with a 36th-place finish as a junior in 2025, giving her three consecutive state meet appearances and a wealth of championship experience.

Rosenberg also enjoyed a solid 2026 track and field season, placing 12th in the 3,200-meter run and 16th in the 1,600 meters at the state meet. As she enters her senior season, her experience, consistency, and proven ability to compete at the state level make her one of the top returning runners in Class 3.

4. Pembroke Hill's Kynsey Smith enjoyed an impressive freshman season, making an immediate impact by finishing 39th at the 2025 Missouri State Cross Country Championships. 

Competing against many experienced upperclassmen, Smith demonstrated the talent and composure needed to succeed at the state's highest level.

With three years of high school competition still ahead of her, Smith has established herself as one of the top young distance runners in Class 3. Her successful freshman campaign provides an excellent foundation as she continues to develop into a future all-state contender.

5. Pembroke Hill's Avery Rand took a major step forward during her junior campaign, turning a promising sophomore year into a nearly all-state-caliber campaign. 

After placing 92nd at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships in 2024, Rand improved dramatically to finish 40th in 2025, showing the progress that has made her one of Pembroke Hill's top runners.

Rand carried that momentum into the 2026 track and field season, earning an eighth-place finish in the 1,600-meter run at the MSHSAA state meet. With her continued improvement and strong track performances, Rand enters her senior season with the confidence and experience to compete for her best cross country finish yet.

Class 3 Boys

1. Summit Christian Academy's Leo Butler has quickly established himself as one of Missouri's premier distance runners.

Butler made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2024, finishing 10th at the Missouri State Cross Country Championships to earn all-state honors. He took another significant step forward in 2025, placing third at the state meet as a sophomore. Among sophomores in the field, Butler was the highest finisher, making him one of the top returning contenders entering the upcoming season.

Butler's success carried over to the track, where he put together one of the most impressive sophomore seasons in the state. He captured the Class 4 state championship in the 1,600 meters, finished as the state runner-up in the 800 meters, and placed fourth in the 3,200 meters at the 2026 state meet. Those performances came after an outstanding freshman track season in which he finished ninth in the 3,200 and 11th in the 1,600 at the 2025 state meet. 

With elite speed, endurance and championship experience already on his resume, Butler enters his junior cross country season as one of the favorites to compete for the Class 3 individual state title.