PROJECT 2029 // Washington’s Class of 2029 Distance Breakout
When the 2026 track and field season kicked off, I got my first glimpse of two up-and-coming stars on the exact same squad. I’d heard the mutterings about a kid in middle school who was about to join the Olympia High School ranks, but my intel didn't go much deeper than that. What I didn’t know was that a freshman girl was about to arrive and make an equally massive splash.
Quenton Lanese and Leah Hennen were squarely in my sights. I eagerly awaited the start of the season to see how these young athletes would operate when they lined up against true, upper-level competitors. They quickly demonstrated that they weren't just talented—they were completely unfazed by the veteran talent surrounding them.
Leah Hennan dictating the pace and controlling the pack at the Mt. Tahoma Track Festival. Unfazed by the veteran talent.
This narrative plays out at high schools across the Pacific Northwest, but for this mission, we are locking our focus strictly on Washington.
As we head into the postseason and schools begin to clash at sub-district and district meets, I’ve started digging deep into the telemetry. As a photographer, I need to know the athletes I have my lens on. General information is fine, but when there is a storyline, the stakes are higher. The data tells me exactly where my attention should be focused when the gun goes off.
The starting line is where my mind begins to frame the race. When Lanese lines up against seniors he intends to outpace, I can usually read where his head is at. What I don’t know yet is how Glacier Peak’s Jaya Holt will look standing on the line pre-race. These are the fine, scouting-report details that help me track a race as it unfolds.
I’ve pulled the data on the top 10 athletes in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m across Washington State. I’ve also decrypted the files on the freshmen who are currently ranking in the Top 25 in the United States.
The numbers are staggering.
What the average fan might not realize is that the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade is not linear. Everything changes. From a competition standpoint, you're suddenly at the bottom of the food chain, and physiologically, these teenagers are changing by the minute. Suddenly, nutrition is harder to manage, the training blocks get heavier, and the expectations mount.
That weight on a 14-year-old’s shoulders is massive.
The weight on a freshman's shoulders is massive, but it doesn't show here. Jake Powell locked in before the 1600m at the South Sound Classic.
PROJECT 2029: THE NEW STANDARD
It doesn’t matter how talented a freshman is; when they line up, they are the instant underdog. Opposing athletes, coaches, and parents will all find a reason why they shouldn't succeed. Whether they write it off as "inexperience" or claim "the senior has more at stake," these freshmen do not care.
Project 2029 represents more than just up-and-coming talent—it represents a shift in Washington's running culture.
The 800m: A Dense Field of Talent
Eisenhower's Hadley Hanchett executing her race strategy in the 800m at the South Sound Classic. In a crowded field of Washington's top talent, the freshmen refuse to yield.
Washington State Freshman Girls 800m Top Times 2025-26 Track Season — Project 2029 Leaderboard by Russell Moore Photography
// PROJECT 2029 · FRESHMEN · GIRLS
800 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | +Gap | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Kamiakin | 2:14.70 | — | Pasco Invite | |
| 02 | Eisenhower | 2:15.38 | +0.68 | South Sound Classic | |
| 03 | West Valley (Yakima) | 2:15.63 | +0.93 | CBBN #1 | |
| 04 | Skyline | 2:17.77 | +3.07 | Skyline Quad | |
| 05 | Federal Way | 2:18.02 | +3.32 | South Sound Classic | |
| 06 | Tahoma | 2:19.87 | +5.17 | South Sound Classic | |
| 07 | West Valley (Yakima) | 2:20.70 | +6.00 | Kiwanis Twilight | |
| 08 | Lincoln (Seattle) | 2:20.76 | +6.06 | Arnie Young Invite | |
| 09 | Mercer Island | 2:20.97 | +6.27 | Skyline @ MI | |
| 10 | Roosevelt | 2:21.42 | +6.72 | Metro League #4 |
// PROJECT 2029 · BOYS
800 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Harrison Miller | Edmonds-Woodway | 1:58.99 | WESCO Quad |
| 02 | Quenton Lanese | Olympia | 1:59.23 | Froshowcase |
| 03 | Kellan Roberts | Shorewood | 1:59.50 | WESCO Quad |
| 04 | Bennett Browning | Bothell | 2:00.76 | Eason Invite |
| 05 | Ash Kline | South Whidbey | 2:01.63 | SW Invite |
| 06 | Jake Powell | Mercer Island | 2:01.70 | MI Dual |
| 07 | Hunter Specht | Mt. Si | 2:02.61 | Liberty Dual |
| 08 | Taran Eriksen | Mount Rainier | 2:03.73 | NPSL Dual |
| 09 | Carter Corrigan | Jackson | 2:04.40 | Snohomish Dual |
| 10 | Malachi Lawson | Goldendale | 2:04.81 | Connell Invite |
Tracking Roosevelt's Lilly Lendrum Fort. With only six seconds separating the top ten freshman girls in the 800m, every stride alters the Washington state data.
Kamiakin’s Jaycee Jenkins currently holds the top spot on the girls' side of the 800m, but there is only a 6-second gap between her and Roosevelt’s Lilly Lendrum Fort at the number 10 spot. That density is incredible when you consider we are only looking at freshmen. I recently had Hadley Hanchett in my sights at the South Sound Classic in Puyallup, and she ran a hell of a race to dominate a gritty field that included Tahoma’s Jordan Daligcon and West Valley’s Callie Orcutt.
On the boys' side, Edmonds-Woodway's Harrison Miller leads the Top 10 with Quenton Lanese sitting right on his shoulder. Further down the grid, you have Jake Powell of Mercer Island putting together a phenomenal freshman campaign following the departure of his brother—yeah, that Owen Powell.
Processing the 1600m data at the South Sound Classic. Harrison Miller and Jackson Fuller lock in, ignoring the noise and executing their race parameters perfectly.
The 1600m: Tactical Warfare
// PROJECT 2029 · GIRLS
1600 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Callie Orcutt | West Valley (Yak) | 4:55.44 | Eason Invite |
| 02 | Lucy Fraser | Skyline | 4:58.42 | Eason Invite |
| 03 | Jaycee Jenkins | Kamiakin | 4:58.84 | Pasco Invite |
| 04 | Ella Haber | Lincoln (Sea) | 5:06.14 | Liberty Twilight |
| 05 | Hadley Hanchett | Eisenhower | 5:06.14 | Pasco Invite |
| 06 | Maya Crane | Gig Harbor | 5:08.42 | South Sound Classic |
| 07 | Leah Hennen | Olympia | 5:08.73 | Shaner Invite |
| 08 | Lilly Lendrum Fort | Roosevelt | 5:09.06 | Eason Invite |
| 09 | Rizah Despres | Mercer Island | 5:09.33 | Liberty Twilight |
| 10 | Maya Wentworth | Federal Way | 5:10.55 | Oregon Relays |
Tracking West Valley's Callie Orcutt. Executing outside maneuvers and logging crucial freshman metrics on the grid.
Federal Way's Maya Wentworth handling the pressure of the exchange zone. The underclassmen are taking control of the relays.
// PROJECT 2029 · BOYS
1600 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Quenton Lanese | Olympia | 4:09.65 | South Sound Classic |
| 02 | Judah TeVelde | Meridian | 4:20.63 | Bedlington Twilight |
| 03 | Harrison Miller | Edmonds-Woodway | 4:23.42 | South Sound Classic |
| 04 | Jake Powell | Mercer Island | 4:25.55 | Liberty Twilight |
| 05 | Carter Corrigan | Jackson | 4:27.71 | Bellevue Invite |
| 06 | Brayden Hague | Kamiakin | 4:28.24 | MCC Scored #1 |
| 07 | Kellan Roberts | Shorewood | 4:29.00 | Solberg Invite |
| 08 | Grant Summers | Ridgeline | 4:29.97 | GSL Champs |
| 09 | Miro Parr-Coffin | Gonzaga Prep | 4:30.44 | EV Jamboree |
| 10 | Ash Kline | South Whidbey | 4:31.62 | Eason Invite |
Callie Orcutt dictates the pace in the 1600m, with Lucy Fraser (Skyline) and Jaycee Jenkins sitting comfortably in second and third. Olympia’s Leah Hennen currently sits in 7th, but I find that ranking to be a bit misleading. The postseason is going to drastically shake up these numbers. League and district meets are about tactical racing, not just time-trialing. Hennen has a superior ability to navigate physical boxes in a tight pack and close with a blistering kick. We're going to see several athletes fall off the radar if they can't match that kind of physical, strategic reality in championship racing.
On the boys' side, Quenton Lanese isn't just leading the 1600m; he owns the top spot by a massive 11-second margin. To put that in perspective for the casual fan, an 11-second gap equates to roughly 60-70 meters of open, uncontested space between Lanese and his closest competitor. Meridian's Judah TeVelde and Harrison Miller pull up the number 2 and 3 spots. The field gets fiercely competitive down the list, with Gonzaga Prep’s Miro Parr-Coffin holding down the 9th place spot for the East side.
The 3200m: The Psychological Meat Grinder
Glacier Peak's Jaya Holt executing her race parameters at NXR NW. The endurance built in the mud in the fall is what dictates the pace in the spring 3200m.
// PROJECT 2029 · GIRLS
3200 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Leah Hennen | Olympia | 11:07.41 | Shelton Invite |
| 02 | Jaya Holt | Glacier Peak | 11:08.70 | Oregon Relays |
| 03 | Lucy Fraser | Skyline | 11:10.38 | South Sound Classic |
| 04 | Lilly Lendrum Fort | Roosevelt | 11:11.43 | Arnie Young Invite |
| 05 | Bella Heczey | Mercer Island | 11:13.80 | Oregon Relays |
| 06 | Ella Haber | Lincoln (Sea) | 11:14.01 | Shoreline Invite |
| 07 | Sophia Haslhofer | Newport (Bell) | 11:14.34 | Eason Invite |
| 08 | Grace Walsh | Manson | 11:16.25 | Eason Invite |
| 09 | Elin Beeler | Lake Wash | 11:21.26 | LW vs Skyline |
| 10 | Paige Ricks | Sehome | 11:23.10 | Oregon Relays |
Processing late-stage race data. Gonzaga Prep's Miro Parr-Coffin locks in his finish at the State XC Championships, building the massive aerobic engine required for the spring 3200m.
// PROJECT 2029 · BOYS
3200 Meters
2025–26
[ PHASE_ONE ]
| Rk | Athlete | School | Time | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Quenton Lanese | Olympia | 8:58.76 | Arcadia Invite |
| 02 | Miro Parr-Coffin | Gonzaga Prep | 9:22.45 | GSL Champs |
| 03 | Carter Corrigan | Jackson | 9:34.42 | Shoreline Invite |
| 04 | Cole Julian | Mt. Spokane | 9:35.74 | Pasco Invite |
| 05 | Brit Seguin | Kamiakin | 9:41.96 | Pasco Invite |
| 06 | Oskari Vuorela | Woodinville | 9:44.62 | Newport Quad |
| 07 | Grant Summers | Ridgeline | 9:46.69 | Van Kuren Invite |
| 08 | Jake Powell | Mercer Island | 9:47.63 | Oregon Relays |
| 09 | Kellan Roberts | Shorewood | 9:49.88 | Oregon Relays |
| 10 | Oz Cohen | Issaquah | 9:53.15 | Oregon Relays |
Processing national-level metrics. Paige Ricks holds the line at NXN 2025. Surviving the meat grinder of the national cross-country circuit builds the exact engine required to dominate the spring 3200m.
The 3200m is an absolute psychological meat grinder. Eight laps around a 400m track will work you into a blur. I've logged 50-mile trail runs in the past, but you couldn't pay me to grind out this distance on a rubber track. It’s long, it’s fast, and it hurts. The athletes wired to run this event are few and far between—just look at the entry lists at your local small meets and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Leah Hennen is a runner I previewed before the season as a legitimate title challenger. She will need to execute an incredible race to pull it off, but she has the engine for it. Hennen is a top-tier distance runner still learning how to navigate the loop-after-loop warfare.
Her teammate Quenton Lanese is the undisputed leader on the boys' side, dropping a sub-9 performance at the legendary Arcadia Invitational to secure the all-time Washington Freshman State Record. Running sub-9 as a freshman isn't just a Washington milestone; it is a nationally significant indicator of future greatness.
You can bet they are both gunning to bring some hardware back to Mission Control.
NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
I am tracking multiple Class of 2029 athletes who have verified their status in the National Top 25.
Quenton Lanese delivering the payload for Olympia at the Mt. Tahoma Track Festival. The Class of 2029 doesn't just dominate the individual grid; they are taking over the relays.
// PROJECT 2029 · DATA_LOG_01
Quenton Lanese
Olympia High School (WA) · Class of 2029 · Distance Elite
US FRESHMAN RANK
3200 Meters
8:58.76
Arcadia Invitational (Record)
US FRESHMAN RANK
Full Mile
4:14.53
Oregon Relays
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL DUAL-THREAT INTEL
Jaya Holt
Glacier Peak High School (WA) · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
11:12.41
Oregon Relays
US FRESHMAN RANK
3200 Meters
11:08.70
Oregon Relays
Cole Julian Mt. Spokane High School — US Freshman Top 10 3000m 9:05.42 and Mile 4:23.42 — 2026 Outdoor Track Season Spotlight
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Cole Julian
Mt. Spokane High School (WA) · Class of 2029 · 3A Division
US FRESHMAN RANK
3000 Meters
9:05.42
Oregon Relays
US FRESHMAN RANK
Full Mile
4:23.42
Oregon Relays
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL ELITE INTEL
Jake Powell
Mercer Island High School · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
3000 Meters
9:09.33
Oregon Relays
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
9:51.19
Oregon Relays
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Bella Heczey
Mercer Island High School (WA) · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
11:17.65
Oregon Relays
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Paige Ricks
Sehome High School (WA) · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
11:27.86
Oregon Relays
// PROJECT 2029 · REGIONAL POWER
Callie Orcutt
West Valley High School (Yakima) · Class of 2029 · #1 WA 1600m Seed
US FRESHMAN RANK
1600 Meters
4:55.44
Eason Invitational · Apr 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · HOME BASE INTEL
Leah Hennen
Olympia High School · Class of 2029 · #1 WA 3200m Seed
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
11:30.31
Oregon Relays · Apr 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · TRI-CITIES SECTOR INTEL
Brit Seguin
Kamiakin High School (WA) · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
9:47.66
Clay Lewis Invite · Mar 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Judah TeVelde
Meridian High School · Class of 2029
US FRESHMAN RANK
1600 Meters
4:20.63
Bedlington Twilight · Mar 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Gideon Bosh
Curtis HS · Class of 2029 · SS 4A
US FRESHMAN RANK
2 Mile Run
9:59.41
Oregon Relays · Apr 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Oz Cohen
Issaquah HS · Class of 2029 · KingCo
US FRESHMAN RANK
3000 Meters
9:18.84
Oregon Relays · Apr 2026
// PROJECT 2029 · NATIONAL FIELD INTEL
Kellan Roberts
Shorewood HS · Class of 2029 · WESCO
US FRESHMAN RANK
3000 Meters
9:18.90
Oregon Relays · Apr 2026
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