Eight athletes have been named to the 2026 USATF U18 Mountain Running Team slated to compete in the 19th edition of the International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Gagliano del Capo, Italy, on Sunday June 21. Featured photo from the 2022 event in Italy courtesy Marco Gulberti/WMRA.
The competition will be held on a single-loop course of 4,600 meters in the scenic Ciolo area, featuring a mix of mountain paths, dirt roads, and grass, with a total elevation gain and loss of 191 meters.
The U.S. squad will consist of 4 boys and 4 girls including:
Cade Duncanson, Knoxville, TN
Cade comes to the team with trail experience as well as a 15:31 5k XC Personal Best.and a 2:04 in the 800. He attends Knoxville Catholic High School.
“Making Team USA is truly a dream come true. Can’t wait to compete against the world’s best in Italy!”
Carson Dobur, Sharpsburg, GA
Carson attends Northgate High School and has personal bests of a 4:08 mile, and 14:59 5k XC. He also finished 3rd in the GHSA 5A division State Cross Country Meet.
“I’m so honored to represent Team USA for the U18s in Italy. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to make the most of it.”
Jackson Ferguson, Golden, CO
Jackson attends Golden High School. He finished 4th at the Colorado 5A Cross Country Championships and 12th at NXR Southwest where he had a personal best of 14:49.33.
“I was beyond excited to get selected to be a part of this year’s team. The opportunity and privilege to represent team USA in Italy is something I am so grateful for.”
Liam Folk, Littleton, CO
Liam attends Heritage High School and has a 5k XC personal best of 14:58, along with 4:17.75 1600.
“Making the USA Mountain Running Team means a lot to me, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to represent the United States while competing against some of the best athletes in the world.”
Lauren Bissen, Kalispell, MT
Lauren attends Glacier High School and has a 17:39.8 5k XC personal best. Lauren also brings trail experience with finishes at the Herron Half Marathon Mountain Trail Race where she set a new female course record.
“I feel very honored to be selected for this team, and to represent my country doing a sport I love. Trail running for me is a way to connect with the environment around me, challenge myself, and immerse myself in a community that shares my values. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to connect and compete with other runners from around the world!”
Mary Seifert, Littleton, CO
Mary has an 18:07.50 5k XC Personal Best along with a 4:56.54 1500 time. Mary placed 12th at the 2025 National High School Trail Champs in Salida, CO. She attends Thunder Ridge High School.
“I was ecstatic when I heard I was selected to represent Team USA on an international stage. I am honored and extremely grateful to have the opportunity to compete with some of the best athletes from around the world. I am looking forward to making new connections and hope to make my country proud!”
Mckenna Groen, Aurora, CO
McKenna attends Regis Jesuit High School and finished 9th at the 5A Colorado State XC Championships, being the only Freshman in the top 10. Her XC 5k best is 17:28. She also has a 10:32 3200 best on the track.
“It means so much to me to be representing the USA. I have been looking forward to this for a while, and can’t wait to do it with such an amazing group of people!”
Saffa Ellis, Brooklyn, NY
Saffa was the top girl at the inaugural New England High School Trail Champs in New Hampshire in 2025. She attends Union Catholic Regional High School where she has a personal best in the 1600 of 5:11 along with a 5k XC time of 18:45.40.
The staff this year are Carol Passarelli, San Francisco, CA, and Paul Kirsch, Madison, NH. Carol has been part of the team staff for the US Mountain and Trail Running Teams or the last three World Championships. Paul is also part of the team staff for Worlds and has been the U18 Team Staff for the last three U18 Mountain Championships. Carol brings a background in athletics and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Paul has been the U20 US Mountain Running Team Manager since 2010 and was overall Team Leader for the US Mountain and Trail Running Team that competed in Canfranc, Spain in September 2025.
“Carol and I are really excited to see how strong of a team we have this year for Italy. We have experienced athletes from five states, all coming to the team with impressive track and cross country pedigrees as well as experience on the trails. The interest in mountain and trail running from young runners in the US continues to grow,” noted Kirsch.
About the Event
The 19th International U18 Mountain Running Cup is set to take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Gagliano del Capo, a town of approximately 4,700 inhabitants situated at the southern tip of the Salento peninsula in the Apulia region of south-eastern Italy. The event is organized by Atletica Capo di Leuca and sanctioned by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). Separate races will be contested for U18 Girls and U18 Boys, with a National U16 Trophy and an open mass race also on the schedule.
The stunning natural backdrop of the Otranto–Santa Maria di Leuca and Tricase Coast and Forest Regional Natural Park promises to make this edition of the Cup a memorable experience for athletes and officials alike.
Editor’s Note: Read about USATF U18 Mountain Running Team that competed in Gagliano del Capo in 2017 here.
