1. Elizabeth Leachman
- - -
School: Champion (Boerne, Texas)
Year: 2026
2023 Notable Finishes: UIL 5A XC State Champion, NXR South Champion, Foot Locker South Champion, 15th at Nike Cross Nationals, Foot Locker Nationals Champion, Nike Indoor Champion in 5000m & 2 Mile, UIL 5A Champ in 3200m & 1600m
Analysis: The best distance runner in the country a year ago is back for the latter half of her high school career, and the sky is the limit for the junior. Last December, Leachman took the pace out hot at NXN, and eventually settled for 15th in her post-season debut.
It was obvious that Leachman learned from her tactics in Portland, as she went on to win Foot Locker Nationals just a week later. Leachman then switched gears once she stepped onto the track at the beginning of 2024, lowering the 3200m national record on a few occasions, and clocking 9:43 in February.
Leachman is far and away the top long-distance athlete in the country, and every time she toes the line between now and December she'll be the girl to beat.
College Commitment: N/A
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON GIRLS INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS
*Click on the athlete names below for analysis on each
RANK | ATHLETE |
|---|---|
| 25 | Jessica Jazwinski, Hart (Mich.) |
| 24 | Sophia Rodriguez, Mercer Island (Wash.) |
| 23 | Evelyn Prodoehl, Lakota West (Ohio) |
| 22 | Libby Dowty, Indian Creek (Ind.) |
| 21 | Katelyn Rupe, Salina Central (Kan.) |
| 20 | Chloe Huyler, Lakeridge (Ore.) |
| 19 | Macy Wingard, Denton Braswell (Texas) |
| 18 | Paige Sheppard, Union Catholic Reg. (N.J.) |
| 17 | Holly Barker, Trabuco Hills (SS) (Calif.) |
| 16 | Hanne Thomsen, Montgomery (NC) (Calif.) |
| 15 | Chiara Dailey, La Jolla (SD) (Calif.) |
| 14 | Jaelyn Williams, Eastlake (SD) (Calif.) |
| 13 | Isabella Keller, Effingham (St. Anthony) (Ill.) |
| 12 | Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa (Mich.) |
| 11 | Ella Hagen, Summit (Colo.) |
| 10 | Gianna Rahmer, Eldorado (N.M.) |
| 9 | Claire Stegall, Nolensville (Tenn.) |
| 8 | Abby Faith Cheeseman, The Webb School (Tenn.) |
| 7 | Rylee Blade, Santiago Corona (SS) (Calif.) |
| 6 | Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (N.Y.) |
| 5 | Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura (SS) (Calif.) |
| 4 | Emily Wisniewski, Crescent Valley (Ore.) |
| 3 | Jane Hedengren, Timpview (Utah) |
| 2 | Addison Ritzenhein, Niwot (Colo.) |
| 1 | Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion (Texas) |