The Copley boys enter the 2026 season hungry to compete and eager to build on last year's success.

The team faces the challenge of replacing four members of last season's top 10, including All-Ohio standout Al Ali, who graduated, Captain Ian Schlarb along with two other athletes who will not be returning to cross country this fall.

While there are important pieces to replace, this year's squad has plenty of opportunity for younger runners to step into bigger roles and make an immediate impact. The depth of the program will be tested, but the potential is there for several athletes to emerge as key contributors.

Leading the Way

Brayden Malpass

Senior Leader Sub-16:00 5K State Qualifier

Brayden is coming off a breakout junior season in which he ran under 16:00 for 5K and qualified for the OHSAA State Championships. He will anchor the team and look to cap his high school career with his strongest season yet while helping develop the next wave of Copley distance runners.

Returning Athletes to Watch

For the team to reach its goals, several returning athletes will need to take significant steps forward and deliver big seasons.

Breakout Candidate: Everett Parana

Sophomore Everett Parana broke the five-minute barrier in the 1600 meters during the outdoor track season. If that improvement carries over to cross country, Everett has the potential to become a major contributor and enjoy a breakout season.

Varsity Competition

Beyond the returning athletes already identified, the competition for varsity positions should be intense. A host of other juniors and sophomores and freshman could move into contention as they continue to develop throughout the summer and early portion of the season. If they continue to build a good base of summer work this should lead to a stellar season for the athletes that put in the work.