Brendan Reardon named Milwaukee Cross Country Runner of the Year

Brendan Reardon ’26 has been named Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year at the 2025-26 Milwaukee High School Sports Awards show. 

Reardon concluded his senior cross country season with his best finish at the WIAA State Meet, placing fourth in Division 1 with a time of 15:36. His finish was the second-highest individual placement by a Hilltopper at the state meet in school history and the fastest MUHS time ever run on the Ridges course.

Reardon, a four-time state qualifier, helped lead Marquette High to three consecutive top-four team finishes at the WIAA State Meet, including a Division 1 runner-up trophy in 2024 and a third-place finish in 2025. He also repeated as Greater Metro Conference Male Runner of the Year, earned first-team all-state honors for the second consecutive season and was named the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association District 7 Runner of the Year.

During the 2025 cross country season, Reardon finished in the top five in all eight meets in which he competed. His consistency was remarkable: regardless of course, terrain or weather, he ran every 5K between 15:17 and 15:45.

Reardon ran faster than the previous school record of 15:30 three times and now owns eight of the 12 fastest 5K times in MUHS history.

“Brendan is one of the most talented runners in MUHS history, but he is also one of the most dedicated,” Coach Dan Cleary said. “Brendan has earned this success through consistent offseason running, strength training, competing in track and field, and being a part of the summer running camp.”

For Cleary, Reardon’s legacy goes beyond race times and awards. He pointed to Reardon’s humility, team-first attitude and leadership as qualities that made him stand out even more.

Reardon’s excellence also extended well beyond athletics. A high-achieving student with a 4.24 weighted GPA and a rigorous course load, he was one of five students in the MUHS Class of 2026 nominated for the Jesuit Schools Network Award, which honors the student who best exemplifies the Graduate at Graduation: intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to justice.

“Brendan is more than a successful runner or a high-achieving student,” Cleary said. “He is a grounded, faith-filled young man who strives to make the most of his abilities and the world around him a better place. It has been an honor and a privilege to be his cross country coach these past four years.”

Reardon will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame.