51����

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. 

PHILADEPHIA – Coming to you from the City of Brotherly Love, a pair of late-season addendums to 51���� track & field’s record book.

Jack Dennehy ’27 started things off Thursday evening at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet in the 5,000-meter run, placing 15th overall with a time (15 minutes, 9.79 seconds) that was close to 30 seconds under the previous school record held by Kahzi Sealey ’23 (15:37.56).

EUGENE, Ore. – Much like 51����, there will be two versions of the record book at Wake Forest University – before and after Rocky Hansen ’23. 

While much of the country was engrossed in Friday night’s United States-Paraguay World Cup match, Rocky came within a second of becoming only the second Demon Deacons athlete to win an event at the NCAA Championship Track Meet.

LEWISVILLE – Advances in nutrition and technology will keep pushing athletic performance to new levels.

Kingston Whitty ’26 draws from something uniquely special inside him, too, which is why a 36-year-old school and state record was finally on borrowed time Saturday. Kingston curled his body over the crossbar for an awe-inspiring win in the high jump (7 feet, 2 inches), a performance on its own that would have made the two-hour trip to Forsyth Country Day worthwhile for 51���� track and field. 

LEWISVILLE – Every inch and second feels consequential at a state meet. 

Koen Booker ’27 can attest after bringing his A-game to the long jump on Friday’s first day of the NCISAA Division I Championship Meet.