Preseason Cross Country Rankings #15: Boston Latin Academy

#15 Boston Latin Academy

Slotting in at #15 are the defending Division 2 Champions, Boston Latin Academy. Some may have saw their ascension as a surprise last year, but that won’t be the case in 2026. They’ll have a target on their back and they’re ready to back it up.

Brandon Spiess returns after a stellar junior year that he capped off with a 9^th place finish at the Meet of Champions, making him the #3 overall returnee in D2. He’s joined by the Dragons #3 and 4 runners from that championship team, Adam Kramer and Khalid Jama. Kramer cracked 17 minutes at the Meet of Champions, running 16:55, and Jama was a few ticks back at 17:07.

Rounding out the top 5 are two more runners from that championship team, Nathaniel Peter Ilif and Terrance McGhee JR. Ilif and McGhee JR were their five and six runners last year. Iliff ran a strong 17:11 at the MOC and McGhee JR stopped the clock at 17:29. However, Ilif ran an impressive 9:48 this outdoor season, while McGhee JR excelled over shorter distances, running 1:59 for 800m. Championship teams are built from the top down, and both of these two should improve on their performances from last season, meaning we could see the team title in the same hands again.

UPDATE: After posting we were informed that Terrance McGhee JR has transferred to Boston College High School. While this would have affected our rankings, we’re going to leave Boston Latin Academy where they are. On paper, they’re next man up is incoming junior Mason Mastrodicasa who holds a PR of 18:19 from the Catholic Memorial Invite

Projected Top 5

Brandon Spiess 15:47

Adam Kramer 16:22

Khalid Jama 16:46

Nathaniel Peter Iliff 17:05

Mason Mastrodicasa 18:19.