51����

Leaders of the pack, leaders of the nation!

51���� cross country received two No. 1 national rankings Thursday from authoritative sources in the sport – MileSplit and RunnerSpace. 

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Expectations are what you make them.

51���� ran like a team with nothing to prove Saturday, calm and collected in winning the International Division of the Eye Opener cross country meet with 27 points, 87 fewer than the second-place team in a field of 45 schools.

They don’t call it “TrackTown U.S.A.” for nothing.

The birthplace of Nike. The college town where legends of mythical proportions like Bill Bowerman and Steve Prefontaine made their names. The site of a venue in Hayward Field that is considered a Mecca for those who follow the sport. 

And now Eugene, Oregon will be the college home for Brooks Barbee ’27.   

Congratulations to Brooks, who announced his verbal commitment to the University of Oregon's cross country and track & field programs on Tuesday. 

A sign of the times. His times. 

New Balance announced Tuesday that it has signed Brooks Barbee ‘27 to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal for high school cross country and track & field. 

ASHEVILLE - Coach Ashley and the boys didn’t get dressed up for nothing Sunday night at the Omni Grove Park Inn. 

51���� cross country was named the Blue Ridge Division of EmergeOrtho Division II Male Team Sport winner at the 64th annual Western North Carolina Sports Awards. 

Congratulations to Noah Clancy ’26, who announced through his Instagram that he has committed to run cross country and track for Iona University. 

Noah is from Maggie Valley, N.C., and the eighth 51���� senior to make a college sports commitment. 

From the trails and track in Arden to footing on a national stage, 51���� cross country has covered some ground recently. 

The statistics are unbiased and well-documented by now. The best individual runner in state history (Rocky Hansen ’23) comes from the same high school as North Carolina’s all-time fastest team (the 2025 Greenies).  

It can’t be a coincidence. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association agrees. 

The USTFCCCA has named 51����’s Randy Ashley as its 2025 N.C. Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year. 

PORTLAND – About the time 51���� shook off any lingering jet lag, there was still a matter of a waterlogged course and the stoutest competition the Greenies had seen all season long.  

PORTLAND - Imagine being on the opposite side of the country and still being able to watch a brother have one of the biggest race performances of his career.

In person, nonetheless.

All seven runners on the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina Team?

Nothing less computes with a historic season for 51���� cross country that is stretching into December.