#TheJourneytoCompete, Episode 2, Jackson Spencer, Cross Country Champion, Looking to 2026 Outdoor Season!

This is the interview with the 2025-2026 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, Jackson Spencer, who won his state meet, the NIKE NXR regional, the NIKE Cross Nationals, and the Brooks XC Nationals. Jackson leads the country at the 3200 meters outdoors with 8:46.04. He will compete at the iconic Arcadia Invitaitonal on April 11, 2026. 

RunBlogRun and NIKE Present

The Journey to Compete Episode 2 –

Jackson Spencer

This is our interview with Jackson Spencer, who won the 2025 NIKE Outdoor Cross Country on December 6, 2025, and the Brooks XC National Championships on December 13, 2025.

At the World Cross Country Championships, Jackson led the US  with 18th place, helping the US team win bronze in the World Juniors! Jackson told RBR that the last lap in Tallahassee was pretty tough. After Tallahassee, Jackson took two weeks off, then ran 8:50.50 at the Simplot Games.

At the New Balance Indoor Nationals, Jackson ran 13:54.70 for the 5,000 meters, solo, the #2 All-time U.S. high school indoor mark. Jackson Spencer also anchored his club’s DMR team at the NBIndoors.

At the Pine View Invitational, Jackson Spencer ran 3200m in a national leader 8:46.06!

On April 11, 2026, Jackson Spencer and Marcelo Mantecon will race over 3200 meters at the Arcadia Invitational. It could be a race for the ages!

Here’s our interview with Jackson Spencer (we will be interviewing Marcelo Mantecon next week).

​