NOR/MAN Track & Field: Week in Review - December 29, 2025
Welcome to the NOR/MAN weekly digest, your one-stop shop for all the latest news and highlights from the high school track and field world! As we head into the final days of 2025, the recruiting scene is heating up and athletes are putting in the work to prepare for the upcoming indoor season. Let's dive into the biggest stories from the past week.
Quick Hits
- Quincy Wilson commits to the University of Maryland, giving the Terps a huge boost in the sprints.
- Elizabeth Leachman announces her commitment to Stanford University, solidifying the Cardinal's distance squad.
- Caleb Winders commits to UNC Chapel Hill, giving the Tarheels a formidable mid-distance presence.
- Mariyah Robinson commits to the University of Florida, joining a strong contingent of sprinters.
- Davis DeGroot will be heading to the University of Kentucky next fall.
- Ellie Barada joins Jane Hickey as another UNC Chapel Hill commit, both from the class of 2026.
Men's Spotlight
The men's recruiting scene continues to be incredibly competitive, with top athletes making their college decisions. This week, the spotlight shines on Quincy Wilson, the sensational sprinter from Bullis School, who has officially committed to the University of Maryland. Ranked as a 5-star recruit with 1243 NOR/MAN points, Wilson is expected to make an immediate impact for the Terps in the 200m and 400m. His explosive speed and competitive drive will be a major asset to Maryland's track program. With his commitment, Maryland is likely to climb up many team rankings.
Beyond Wilson, other highly sought-after athletes have also made their decisions. Caleb Winders from Bloomington North High School is heading to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Davis DeGroot of Utah will be heading to the University of Kentucky, while Kendrick Joshua of Coastal Georgia Track Team decided to stay local and head to the University of Georgia. Lastly, Joshua Shelton of BeastMode Track Club will be running for Texas A&M University.
Women's Spotlight
The women's side of the sport saw several high-profile commitments this week, led by Elizabeth Leachman, the distance phenom from Boerne Champion, who chose to continue her academic and athletic career at Stanford University. Leachman, a 5-star recruit with 1147 NOR/MAN points, is a dominant force in cross country and track, boasting impressive times in the 1600m, 3200m, and 5k. Her addition to the Stanford roster strengthens their already formidable distance program.
In other recruiting news, Mariyah Robinson from Warrior Athletic TC has committed to the University of Florida. Robinson, a 5-star recruit with 1125 NOR/MAN points, is a standout sprinter who will undoubtedly bolster the Gators' sprinting program. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also landed two 5-star recruits this week with commitments from Ellie Barada and Jane Hickey. Lily Alder of Timpview will be staying in state as she heads to Brigham Young University.
Recruiting Watch
This week has been dominated by commitment announcements from the class of 2026. As mentioned above, Quincy Wilson's commitment to Maryland is a massive win for the Terps. Elizabeth Leachman's move to Stanford will bolster their already deep distance squad. These signings highlight the increasing importance of early recruiting in track and field. Coaches are identifying talent earlier than ever, and athletes are making decisions sooner to secure their spots at top programs. It will be interesting to see how these commitments influence the landscape of collegiate track and field in the coming years. As we head into January, expect more athletes to finalize their decisions as the indoor season gets into full swing.
Performances of the Week
While it's still early in the indoor season and most athletes are focused on training, a few standout performances deserve recognition:
- [Athlete Name Removed] - In a small, unattached meet, [Athlete Name Removed] ran a blazing [Time Removed] in the 60m dash. This time, if verified, would place him/her among the top high schoolers in the nation early in the season.
- [Athlete Name Removed] - At a developmental meet, [Athlete Name Removed] threw a personal best of [Distance Removed] in the shot put. This performance showcases the hard work and dedication this athlete has put in during the off-season.
(NOTE: Since no specific meet results or trending athletes were provided, I have left these Performance of the Week sections more generic. If data were provided, I would have filled them in with specific athlete achievements.)
Tip of the Week
Focus on Consistency in Training: As the indoor season approaches, it's crucial to prioritize consistency in your training regimen. Avoid the temptation to overtrain or make drastic changes to your program. Instead, focus on executing your workouts consistently, paying attention to recovery, and listening to your body. Small, incremental improvements over time will lead to significant gains in performance. Coaches should emphasize proper warm-up and cool-down routines to minimize the risk of injury and promote optimal recovery. Remember, the goal is to arrive at championship season healthy and ready to compete at your best!
That's all for this week's NOR/MAN Track & Field digest! Stay tuned for more updates and insights next week.