#15 Notre Dame Academy
Coming in at #10 we have another young team that returns their entire top seven. A group that was predominantly freshmen last year, there was even one eighth grader, managed to make it all the way to the Meet of Champions and finish 12th overall. That’s why we’re expecting big things from Notre Dame Academy in 2026.
Last season Eighth Grader Claire Sullivan was their top runner, finishing 15th at the Meet of Champions in 18:53, proving her PB of 18:33 earlier in the season was no fluke. This season she’ll be looking for a much lower position as she leads NDA into a battle for top 10 in the state.
Joining her are incoming sophomores Claire McManus, Kathryn Ford, Annika Casieri, and Xion Rondo. All four encompassed their top five last season and competed at the Meet of Champions. McManus Boasts a PR of 19:10, while Ford and Casieri have cracked 20 minutes for 5K. While her PR may not be as flashy, Rondo ran her best at the Division 1A meet, finishing in 21st in 20:18., helping the girls finish second overall.
NDA’s depth goes beyond the top five, as Senior Julia Walsh and Sophomore Jade Radebaugh return after running in the top seven last season. Notre Dame Academy was another team that came out of nowhere last year. This year we have high hopes for what they can accomplish with such a strong core.
Projected Top 5
Claire Sullivan 18:33
Claire McManus 19:10
Kathryn Ford 19:49
Annika Casieri 19:57
Xion Rondo 20:18
