NOR/MAN Week in Review - December 29, 2025

Welcome back to the NOR/MAN weekly digest! As 2025 winds down, the indoor track season is starting to heat up and recruiting boards are filling out. Let's dive into the biggest stories from the past week in high school track and field.

Quick Hits

• Elizabeth Leachman, the distance phenom from Boerne Champion, has committed to Stanford University. This is a HUGE get for the Cardinal!
• Quincy Wilson, a sprinting sensation out of Bullis School, will be staying in-state and running for the University of Maryland.
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill continues to build a distance powerhouse, landing commitments from both Caleb Winders and Ellie Barada this week!
• Texas A&M beefs up its sprints squad, securing a commitment from Joshua Shelton from BeastMode Track Club.
• Indoor meet results are starting to trickle in! Keep an eye on our meet pages for updated results from across the country.

Men's Spotlight

This week's biggest men's recruiting news centers around Quincy Wilson, the 5-star recruit committing to the University of Maryland. Wilson, currently ranked as one of the top sprinters in the class of 2026, chose the Terrapins over several other power-five offers. The Bullis School standout is known for his explosive speed and versatility, capable of excelling in the 200m, 400m, and even the 800m. His addition will undoubtedly be a major boost to Maryland's track program.

Several other top male athletes made their college decisions this week. Distance standout Caleb Winders from Bloomington North High School has committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Adding to that, Davis DeGroot of Utah is heading to the University of Kentucky, while Kendrick Joshua of Coastal Georgia TC is set to run for the University of Georgia, and Joshua Shelton out of Texas will be Aggie bound as he signed with Texas A&M University. All of these 5-star athletes will be adding a significant boost to their teams.

Women's Spotlight

The biggest news on the women's side is without a doubt Elizabeth Leachman's commitment to Stanford University. Leachman, a dominant force in cross country and distance track, is one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the nation. Her impressive range, from the 800m to the 5k, makes her a valuable asset to any program. Stanford's strong academics and storied track and field history proved to be the perfect fit for the Boerne Champion star.

The University of North Carolina continues to make waves on the recruiting trail, adding another impressive piece to their roster with the commitment of Ellie Barada from Bloomington South High School. Barada joins fellow commit Jane Hickey (Ursuline School) in Chapel Hill, solidifying the Tar Heels' position as a rising power in women's distance running. Elsewhere, Mariyah Robinson is heading to the University of Florida, and Lily Alder is staying in state to run for Brigham Young University.

Recruiting Watch

This week has been a flurry of commitments, primarily focused on the class of 2026. With the early signing period in full swing, expect to see more announcements in the coming weeks. Athletes are taking their final official visits and solidifying their college decisions. It's a stressful time for athletes and coaches alike, but also an exciting one as athletes lock in their futures.

Don't forget to keep an eye on potential transfers as well. As college seasons wrap up, some athletes may be looking for new opportunities, potentially opening doors for high school athletes who are still uncommitted. Staying flexible and open-minded is key during the recruiting process.

Performances of the Week

Since it's still early in the indoor season, top-level performances are a bit sparse, but a few athletes are already making noise.

• Jane Hickey (Ursuline School): Although no specific meets have been mentioned this week, we still want to shout out to Jane for committing to the University of North Carolina!
• Quincy Wilson (Bullis School): Another recruit who hasn't competed this week, but his commitment to the University of Maryland makes him a name to keep an eye on!

Tip of the Week

For Athletes: Don't underestimate the importance of communication during the recruiting process. Respond promptly to coaches' emails and calls, and be upfront about your interests and expectations. Clear and honest communication will help you build strong relationships with coaches and ultimately find the program that's the best fit for you. Remember, this is a two-way street - you're interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing you.

That's all for this week's NOR/MAN digest! Stay tuned for more updates as the indoor season progresses and the recruiting landscape continues to evolve. Have a great New Year's week, and keep training hard! We'll see you back here on January 5th, 2026.