The Gardner Edgerton girls cross country program believes this could be the season it takes another step forward.
The Blazers will feature a mix of experienced runners and younger talent as coach Colby Kromminga looks to build on a decade of steady growth within the program.
“Our girls are going to be a mix of upper and lower classman talent next year,” Kromminga said. “Over the last 10 years in our program, the girls team has continued to grow and get better.”
Gardner Edgerton has its sights set on a significant milestone this fall: qualifying for the state meet out of its regional for the first time.
“We look to qualify out of our region for the first time ever this fall,” Kromminga said. “Be watching the Lady Blazers!”
A key piece of that pursuit will be freshman standout Emily Karlin, who is coming off an impressive first season of high school track. Karlin posted times of 10:49 in the 3,200 meters and 5:26 in the 1,600.
Kromminga expects Karlin to make an immediate impact.
“Great breakout freshman season,” Kromminga said. “She will be a game changer for our team in the fall and looks to turn some heads.”
Gardner Edgerton also expects to add eighth grader Libby Hibit to the program. Hibit is coming to Gardner from Spring Hill and will join her father, Mike Hibit, who is an assistant coach for the Blazers.
Hibit has already produced impressive times for a middle school runner, running 10:52 in the 3,200, 5:27 in the 1,600 and 2:37 in the 800.
“Coming from Spring Hill to Gardner to join her dad, Mike Hibit, assistant coach at Gardner, she will definitely be a game changer on our team,” Kromminga said.
Senior-level leadership also will be important, with Ciera Lynch expected to provide another strong presence after running in the 19-minute range.
With Karlin, Lynch and Hibit among the pieces, Gardner Edgerton sees an opportunity to turn its continued growth into a breakthrough season.
The Blazers won’t be the only Gardner Edgerton cross country team carrying high expectations into the fall.
The boys program has established itself as a consistent contender in its region and Class 6A, routinely finishing among the top three at regionals and qualifying for state.
That tradition has been built by runners such as Trent Cochran, Jordan and Nick Kilonzo, Parker and Quenton Walion, and Cade Halton.
“Because of the leaders and greats who have come before, our team knows what it takes to be great,” Kromminga said.
The 2026 boys team will be relatively young, but Gardner Edgerton expects several juniors and seniors to provide leadership as the program tries to maintain its place among the state’s better teams.
The Blazers are targeting a group of four or five runners capable of running between 16:20 and 17:00, which would give the team a strong chance to remain competitive at regionals.
Josh Booton enters the season as the team’s projected No. 1 runner. The senior is coming off a breakout junior track season in which he ran 1:59 in the 800, 4:35 in the 1,600 and 10:20 in the 3,200.
Kromminga expects Booton to take on a leadership role while challenging himself to break into the low 16-minute range during cross country season.
“Josh looks to be our No. 1 going into the 2026 XC season,” Kromminga said. “He will be a senior leader and looking to go low 16s on the XC course.”
Sophomore Jayden Gallardo also could provide a boost. Gallardo is relatively new to cross country after previously competing in soccer, but he showed promise during his freshman track season with a 5:04 mile.
“He is new to cross country, with being a soccer player in the past,” Kromminga said. “He was able to run 5:04 this season as a freshman and is bought in to getting better as a runner.”
With experienced leaders, promising young runners and a tradition of success to build upon, Gardner Edgerton enters the 2026 season looking to keep its boys program among the region’s best while the girls chase a milestone of their own.
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