After an incredible junior season that culminated in a Class 1A State Cross Country Championship, Eli Gaeddert returns for his senior year as one of Kansas’ premier distance runners and one of the top athletes to watch this fall.
Gaeddert is a cross country runner watch, according to Sports in Kansas.
Gaeddert has shown remarkable consistency throughout his high school cross country career, improving from seventh place at the 2023 Class 1A State Championships to fourth place in 2024 before capturing the 2025 Class 1A Individual State Championship.
His success has continued on the track, where he has developed into one of the state’s elite distance runners.
As a freshman, he earned a 3rd-place finish in the 3200 meters at the state meet.
He followed that with 5th in the 1600 meters and 4th in the 3200 meters as a sophomore before putting together a dominant junior campaign.
At the 2026 Class 1A State Track and Field Championships, Gaeddert claimed state titles in both the 1600 and 3200 meters while also placing third in the 800 meters.
Gaeddert is eager to continue building on his success.
“I’m excited to see what my last cross country season has in store. This summer has been a great chance to get back into training and keep building toward my goals. I’m looking forward to chasing new PRs while enjoying the season along the way.”
With a state championship already to his name, two individual state track titles, and one final opportunity to leave his mark on Kansas distance running, Eli Gaeddert enters the season as one of the state’s top runners to watch.
