Keegan Smith, Caden Leonard Set To Meet In Boys Championship Race

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Natasha Swanson photo

Defending national champion Elizabeth Leachman of Boerne, Texas is set to return to the Foot Locker Cross Country South Regional on Saturday, Nov. 30 in Charlotte, N.C.

The junior from San Antonio cruised to a 17-second victory in last year’s regional race before going onto Balboa Park in San Diego to claim her first national title to conclude a memorable sophomore season.

However, Leachman’s junior year has seen its ups and downs this fall, having only raced a handful of times because of an on-and-off injury that’s kept her out of competition. 

In recent weeks, Leachman has made her way back to the starting line, including a win at the Texas 5A state championships and then a runner-up finish at Nike Cross Regional South. 

With her name on the start list for Saturday, it’s probable she will be racing in hopes of qualifying for a second trip to Foot Locker Cross Country Championships on Dec. 7.

Challenging the reigning national champion, if she races, will be this year’s Nike Cross Regional South winner Lilly Beshears of Springdale, Ark. 

The junior defeated Leachman at Nike Cross Regional South by 11 seconds, along with Sophia Bendet of Universal City, Texas, Macy Wingard of Aubrey, Texas, who are also entered for the championship race. Bendet finished 19th in the region last fall.

Abby Faith Cheeseman of Bell Buckle, Tenn., and Claire Stegall of Nolensville, Tenn., are two other members of last year’s South team back to qualify for nationals this year. Cheeseman, hoping to qualify for her third Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, was 13th in last year’s national race.

Sadie Adams of Crozet, Va., will be on the redemption trail after finishing one spot shy of making the South team last season, finishing 11th.

Carolina Barton of Asheville, N.C., another top 20 finisher in last year’s regional race, will be among the mix of individuals vying for those top 10 spots. Another Asheville resident, Sofi Alexander, is the North Carolina Class 4A champion.

Averi Lowen of Bowdon, Ga., last Saturday's winner at Nike Cross Regional Southeast, is another one to watch. 

The boys race features an intriguing match-up against two Nike Cross Regional champions in Keegan Smith of Kingston, Tenn., and Caden Leonard of Keller, Texas.

Smith picked up a monumental victory at Nike Cross Regional Southeast in Cary, N.C., building his confidence back up after a recent struggle the last couple of seasons. Smith finished 18th in last year’s regional race and will try to get back to nationals for the second time in his career, having last raced in San Diego as a freshman.

Leonard won Nike Cross Regional South connivingly in The Woodlands, Texas, punching his ticket to a third Nike Cross Nationals meet. This will be his first Foot Locker Regional race.

Riku Sugie of Bardstown, Ky. was second at Foot Locker South last year and 18th at nationals.

Aiden Monistere of Baton Rouge, La., the Louisiana Division 3 champion, is coming off a sixth-place finish at NXR South last weekend.

Jack Bowen of Chattanooga, Tenn., Kavi Gibson of Durham, N.C., and Owen Kelley of Bentonville, Ark., are other names entered with notable credentials throughout the season.

Looking to get in the top 10 conversation will also be Lincoln Hearld of Dry Ridge, Ky., Paul Van Laningham of Burlington, Ky., Asher Oates of Franklin, Tenn., Trent Daniels of Bristow, Va., and Tristan Yoder of Broadway, Va.