19. Caden Leonard
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School: Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Year: 2026
College: Uncommitted
2023 Notable XC Finishes: 1st at the Nike South Invitational, 1st at the UIL State Championships, 3rd at the NXR South Regional with a PR of 14:55.80, and 21st at Nike Cross Nationals.
Analysis: Caden Leonard had a remarkable 2023 cross-country season, establishing himself as one of the top sophomore runners in the nation. He began his standout season with some notable performances in the 3200m and 3-mile races before reeling off four straight victories, including a notable win at the Class 6A state meet with a time of 15:00.1, which led Carroll High School to the team championship.
Leonard continued his impressive run with a third-place finish at the NXN South Regional, clocking a personal best of 14:55.80 and earning First Team All-Region honors. Leonard's season culminated with a Third Team All-American performance at the Nike Cross Nationals Final, finishing 21st overall, where he helped Carroll secure a third-place team finish. His achievements throughout the season solidify his status as one of the top juniors nationally this season.
Leonard then went on to to put together a strong track season which saw him finish 3rd in the mile at the RunningLane Track Championships with a time of 4:04.02, a 9th place finish in the mile at the HOKA Festival of Miles, and win a 1600m state title, while finishing as the 3200m runner-up.
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON BOYS INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS
*Click on the athlete names below for analysis
RANK | ATHLETE |
|---|---|
| 25 | Jack Bowen, McCallie School (Tenn.) |
| 24 | Luke Pash, Ridgewood HS (N.J.) |
| 23 | Alex Fisher, Loomis Chaffee (Conn.) |
| 22 | Benjamin Anderson, Mountain Vista (Colo.) |
| 21 | Riku Sugie, Thomas Nelson (Ky.) |
| 20 | Jack Graffeo, Westford Academy (Mass.) |
| 19 | Caden Leonard, Carroll (Ore.) |
| 18 | Landon Pretre, Menlo School (Calif.) |
| 17 | Tayvon Kitchen, Crater (Ore.) |
| 16 | Josiah Tostenson, Crater (Ore.) |
| 15 | Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.) |
| 14 | Eli Fitchen-Young, Santa Cruz (Calif.) |
| 13 | Kaden Evans, American Fork (Utah) |
| 12 | Owen Powell, Mercer Island (Wash.) |
| 11 | Tommy Latham, Marist (Ga.) |
| 10 | Broen Holman, Sonora (Calif.) |
| 9 | Joe Barrett, Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.) |
| 8 | Daniel Skandera, Unattached (Ala.) |
| 7 | Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (Nebr.) |
| 6 | TJ Hansen, Freeland (Ore.) |
| 5 | Robert Mechura, Roseville (Minn.) |
| 4 | Evan Noonan, Dana Hills (Calif.) |
| 3 | Tamrat (Tam) Gavenas, Phillips Academy Andover (Mass.) |
| 2 | Manny Putz, Onalaska (Wisc.) |
| 1 | Ty Steorts, Hurricance (W. Va.) |