As is often the case, Wisconsin ought to be loaded with talent across the distance events this outdoor season. There are strong returning performers with chips on their shoulders, athletes coming off of a breakout indoor campaign, defending state champions, fast-rising underclassmen, and dynastic programs set to churn out their latest batch of stars--all on a collision course this spring.

Boys Title Contenders

Few runners in Wisconsin return with stronger credentials than Grady Lenn (De Pere). Lenn captured WIAA state titles in both the 1600 (4:01.79) and 3200 (8:52.79) last spring, establishing himself as one of the top distance runners in the nation. With elite range, championship experience, and the proven ability to win off of fast paces or in more tactical settings, Lenn enters the season as the athlete to beat in the 1600 and 3200.

Another name to watch is Jemekhi Tally (Homestead), who claimed the WIAA state title in the 800 meters (1:51.21) last spring. Tally demonstrated his versatility during the indoor season as well, posting a 1:52.78 indoor 800 and 4:15.82 in the mile, both significant jumps from his prior indoor season bests.

Keep an eye on Lucas Tanner (DeForest), as well, who ran 4:06.61 in the 1600 and 9:07.91 in the 3200 outdoors last year. He raced once this indoor season, clocking an impressive 9:01.81 2-mile, and looks to have taken a step toward contention.

Girls Title Contenders

The girls distance scene is highlighted by one of the state's most accomplished runners, Charlize-Trinity McKenzie (Cedarburg). McKenzie, a Princeton commit, won the WIAA state titles in the 1600 meters (4:45.48) and 800 meters last season and posted a 2:06.63 season's best. She reinforced her top-dog status this winter with a 2:05.75 indoor 800, one of the fastest times in the region, and finished fifth at the Millrose Games 600, going 1:29.99.

Another major contender is 2025 WIAA cross country champ, Lauren McCalla (Menomonie). McCalla finished second in the 1600 (4:45.66) at last year's state championships and also ran 2:10.89 in the 800 and 10:53.50 in the 3200--her range makes her one of the most versatile distance runners in Wisconsin.

Additionally, Addy Duellman (Cochrane-Fountain City) returns after finishing second in the 1600 (4:55.19) and winning the state title in the 3200 (10:35.96) last spring, giving the state another athlete capable of competing across multiple distance events.

Boys Breakout Candidates

It's not just returning state champs we're keeping an eye on. These athletes could take significant steps forward this season after strong indoor performances.

Birk Newman (Nicolet) emerged as one of the top distance runners indoors, running 9:38.55 in the 2-mile, while Benjamin Blattner (Milwaukee Speed Academy) showed promise with a 4:38.58 indoor 1600 as an underclassman.

In the middle distances, Ethan Zywicki (Stoughton) ran 1:57.10 indoors in the 800 and already owns a 1:55.85 outdoor personal best. Combine those results with a strong cross country campaign, and he could be ready for major improvements this spring.

Girls Breakout Candidates

Mara Gaskin (Homestead) ran 2:14.41 in the outdoor 800 last season and continued competing at a high level indoors, posting a 2:19.61 800 and a 5:19.54 mile this winter while dabbling in some shorter sprint races as well.

Another athlete to watch is Isabelle DeCabooter (Verona Area), who ran 4:59.25 in the 1600 outdoors last year and posted a 2:21.27 indoor 800, demonstrating improved speed for the seventh-place finisher at the 2025 WIAA cross country state championships.

Boys Deepest Teams To Watch

Shorewood High School returns a particularly strong group led by Ryan Lien (Shorewood) and Ryan Optekar (Shorewood), both of whom appear across multiple distance leaderboards.

Girls Deepest Teams To Watch

Cochrane-Fountain City returns a powerful duo in Addy Duellman and Paxtyn Duellman, giving the program two athletes more than capable of vying for podium placements at the state level.

Menomonie also returns strong distance credentials behind Lauren McCalla and Bree Barfknecht.

Girls Underclassmen To Watch

Another promising young runner is Maddie Driscoll (Lancaster), who ran 2:14.98 in the 800 and 5:04.60 in the 1600 outdoors last season.

Boys Underclassmen To Watch

Ryan Keller (Hudson) ran 4:19.80 in the 1600 and 9:12.93 in the 3200 last spring as a sophomore, while Birk Newman (Nicolet) has already established himself as one of the top developing distance runners in the state.

Outlook

With returning state champions, emerging underclassmen, and deep team programs across Wisconsin, the distance races should once again provide some of the most compelling storylines of the outdoor track and field season.