Carroll’s star distance runner Caden Leonard delivered an outstanding performance at the inaugural Brooks XC Championships in San Diego on Dec. 13, finishing third in the Boys Championship 5K with a time of 15:18.4. This marks another major national podium showing for the Texas standout, who has firmly established himself among the top high school distance runners in the country.
In a thrilling race that saw University of Utah-commit Jackson Spencer edge out University of Florida-commit Marcelo Mantecon in a sprint finish to win the title, Leonard remained competitive throughout and closed strong to secure a place on the podium. His performance in San Diego capped off a remarkable fall season against a national field of elite competitors.
A quick rundown of Leonard's high school running career:
Elite National Level: Leonard entered the Brooks XC Championships already recognized as one of the country’s premier high school distance talents. He was ranked among the nation’s top boys runners throughout the fall season and maintained a strong presence on the national stage.
Texas State Dominance: In November 2025, Leonard made UIL Class 6A history by winning his third consecutive state cross country championship, becoming the first boy in Texas’s largest classification to achieve a three-peat. He clocked an emphatic 14:42.0 at the state meet to secure the title and guide Carroll to the team championship.
Gatorade Player of the Year: Leonard was named the 2024-25 Gatorade Texas Boys Cross Country Player of the Year — his second straight Gatorade honor — recognizing his athletic excellence, academic achievement, and character.
Track Success: Beyond cross country, Leonard has been dominant on the track. At the 2025 UIL State Track & Field Championships, he captured gold medals in both the 1600m and 3200m, completing the coveted Texas distance “Triple Crown” of cross country, 1600m and 3200m state titles in a single school year.
National Podiums: Leonard has proved himself against national competition before, including a third-place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) earlier in his career.