The Sarasota Christian School Blazers cross country team enters the 2026 season with a youthful roster, experienced leadership, and plenty of optimism as the Blazers look to build off of a strong season in 2025. Though much of the roster will be made up of underclassmen eager to gain experience and make an immediate impact, the Blazers return some key runners who will provide strong leadership and have valuable experience competing at the varsity level.
Leading the way for the boys is junior
Gabe Milliken, a returning FHSAA State Qualifier from last season who will once again look to set the pace for the Blazers. After earning a trip to the state championship in Tallahassee last season, Milliken enters the season with very high expectations and will serve as the cornerstone of a developing boys squad. Senior
Ethan Fritsch is also expected to play a significant role this season. After making tremendous strides through the season last year, Fritsch returns will confidence and hopes to continue his upward trajectory during his final high school season.
On the girls side, junior
Selah Spenn and eighth grader
Ainsley Martell headline an exciting young group with plenty of potential. Spenn provides extremely valuable veteran leadership, while Martell has already emerged as one of the team's brightest young runners with a couple of years of competing at the varsity level. Together, they give the Blazers a strong foundation as the girls team continues to grow.
The 2026 high school schedule kicks off at Holloway Park in Lakeland for the 2026 Jim Ryun FCA Invitational. Other notable meets include the WCAC Championships on September 12th at Sarasota Military Academy, the SSAA Championships on September 19th held at Holloway Park, and the FHSAA District Championships on November 7th held at Southwest Florida Christian Academy. The middle school schedule begins with a meet at St. Stephen's Episcopal School on Tuesday, September 8th . The season concludes with the MAC2 Championships at The Classical Academy on Tuesday, October 6th .
