University of North Carolina Athletics
Two Tar Heels Named ACC Cross Country Performers Of The Week
September 15, 2026 | Cross Country
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ciara O'Shea and Caden Leonard have earned conference honors, named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Performer and Freshman of the Week, respectively, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
O'Shea earned ACC Co-Women's Performer of the Week after an individual win at the Virginia Invitational, leading her fellow Tar Heels to a team first-place finish. With a 5k race winning time of 16:46.0, O'Shea garners the conference nod after being named the USTFCCCA Women's National Cross Country Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The latter of the two, true freshman Caden Leonard, earned the title of ACC Freshman of the Week in his collegiate debut. The Texas native clocked in a time of 17:51.5 to place fifth at the race at Panorama Farm. Leonard was one of four Tar Heels within the top-five, aiding in the men's program win as well as a Carolina sweep of the meet.
This week marks the first time that North Carolina cross country has had multiple representatives in the ACC weekly honors since Brynn Brown and Jacob Laney earned the same recognitions during the 2024 season on September 17.
O'Shea earned ACC Co-Women's Performer of the Week after an individual win at the Virginia Invitational, leading her fellow Tar Heels to a team first-place finish. With a 5k race winning time of 16:46.0, O'Shea garners the conference nod after being named the USTFCCCA Women's National Cross Country Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The latter of the two, true freshman Caden Leonard, earned the title of ACC Freshman of the Week in his collegiate debut. The Texas native clocked in a time of 17:51.5 to place fifth at the race at Panorama Farm. Leonard was one of four Tar Heels within the top-five, aiding in the men's program win as well as a Carolina sweep of the meet.
This week marks the first time that North Carolina cross country has had multiple representatives in the ACC weekly honors since Brynn Brown and Jacob Laney earned the same recognitions during the 2024 season on September 17.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Friday, September 18
Friday, September 18
Friday, September 18
Wednesday, September 16