From Alpena’s standout freshman to Rogers City’s and Alcona’s seasoned veterans, the competition has been fierce.

Alpena’s freshman phenom, Xander Allen, has quickly established himself as one to watch.

In his first year, Allen has consistently placed among the top finishers, showing a bright future in the sport. His combination of speed, endurance, and maturity on the course has impressed fans and competitors alike.

Meanwhile, Alcona’s Cole Upper and Carter Upper have continued to shine.

Courtesy Photo Alcona High School’s Cole Upper is seen running during the Panther Rifle River Invitational on Sept. 4. Upper placed second overall with a time of 19:46.

Known for their consistency and strong finishes, the Upper brothers have cemented their place as key runners in the region. Week after week, they push each other to improve, creating a dynamic duo that has helped elevate Alcona’s cross country reputation.

Though perhaps under the radar compared to their regional counterparts, Rogers City’s team boasts two athletes who have had standout seasons of their own: Cole Brege and Avery Langlois.

Brege has been a force all season, consistently beating tough competitors, including the Alcona runners, and even breaking the 18:00 mark. Brege’s chances of qualifying for state races look strong.

Langlois, fresh off an injury, has managed an impressive comeback.

Brege and Langlois qualified for the state meet last year, and, because of how their season is shaping up, they are well-positioned to do it again.