Maya Freyer Wins Class A State Cross Country Title
The Omaha Marian junior claimed the all-class gold medal at Kearney Country Club, becoming the fifth Crusader to do so.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Running
Maya Freyer, a junior at Omaha Marian, won the Class A cross country all-class state championship at Kearney Country Club on October 23. She won six of her eight races this fall.
Why it matters
Freyer's victory adds to Omaha Marian's history in Nebraska cross country and marks a standout season for a runner who has been consistently competitive at the top of the field.
Freyer won six of her eight races this fall, and she is the fifth cross country all-class gold medalist from Omaha Marian. She pursued runner-up Emily Hegge until Hegge dropped in the final 60 meters (196 feet) of the state race.
The players
Maya Freyer
A junior distance runner at Omaha Marian whose strong 2026 season earned her the state title and recognition as OrthoNebraska Athlete of the Week.
Omaha Marian High School
A Catholic high school in Omaha whose cross country program has produced five all-class state gold medalists.
The details
Freyer pursued Hegge through the brutal Kearney course until Hegge faded in the final stretch. Freyer had also finished sixth at the Nike Heartland Preview in South Dakota and second to Hegge at the Metro Conference meet.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Freyer wins the state title at Kearney Country Club.
November 5, 2026: Freyer is named OrthoNebraska Athlete of the Week.
Season Trajectory
Freyer's state title extends Omaha Marian's record as only the fifth all-class cross country gold medalist from the program. Her potential double next year would be the first by a Crusader, setting a new benchmark for the school.
Freyer's win means she is the top returning state cross country champion heading into next season, a potential factor for future Omaha-area meet fields. Fans tracking high school distance rankings can watch whether she pursues a repeat title in 2027.
The takeaway
Consistent performance across a full season, not a single race, built Freyer's championship case. Runners aiming for state titles can learn from her pattern of pressing rivals even on difficult courses.
Further reading
Explore more running coverage to see how high school distance programs are developing across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Omaha World-Herald.
