University of North Carolina Athletics
Leonard Honored With Third ACC Cross Country Freshman-Of-The-Week Title
October 20, 2026 | Cross Country
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina cross country's Caden Leonard has been named ACC Cross Country Freshman of the Week for the third time this season.
Leonard led all Tar Heels in the 8k last week at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational for the second consecutive race, clocking a time of 23:34.9 to finish 19th out of 342 runners. The true freshman from Southlake, Texas, secured another top-20 finish as he continued to make an impact in his debut season.
As Carolina moves into the postseason, Leonard has continued to deliver consistent result, recording a sub-24-minute finish in each 8k race this season and opened the year with a fifth-place finish in the 6k at 17:51.5. Across both distances, Leonard has finished within the top 20 at every meet he has competed in.
Leonard and the Tar Heels return to action for the ACC Championships set for October 30 in Blacksburg, Va. to begin postseason racing.
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Leonard led all Tar Heels in the 8k last week at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational for the second consecutive race, clocking a time of 23:34.9 to finish 19th out of 342 runners. The true freshman from Southlake, Texas, secured another top-20 finish as he continued to make an impact in his debut season.
As Carolina moves into the postseason, Leonard has continued to deliver consistent result, recording a sub-24-minute finish in each 8k race this season and opened the year with a fifth-place finish in the 6k at 17:51.5. Across both distances, Leonard has finished within the top 20 at every meet he has competed in.
Leonard and the Tar Heels return to action for the ACC Championships set for October 30 in Blacksburg, Va. to begin postseason racing.
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Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20