Leo Daschbach is one of the most elite high school distance runners in the United States. Earlier this season, the Arizona native recently ran an incredible personal best of 14:14 at the Nike Desert Twilight Festival before securing the win at the prestigious Mt. SAC Invitational. We caught up with the 4:03 miler and asked him a couple of questions about his recent commitment to the University of Washington. Many thanks to Leo for taking the time to answer a few of our questions! The Stride Report: Before we talk about your college decision, we want to highlight a few aspects of your high school career. The first thing that strikes me when I look at your resume is your unbelievable range. You own PR’s of 50.27 (400), 1:51 (800), 4:03 (mile), 8:51 (3200), and 14:14 (5000). How are you able to excel in so many events at such a high level? Leo Daschbach: I think it’s the culmination of training at every end of the spectrum and paying a lot of attention to detail. I don’t highlight one type of workout over another. My coach really trains me to be versatile so we hit a lot of areas. I buy in completely to whatever he has me do from the beginning to the end of every season, whether it’s base work, speed work, or anything else, I give it 100%. What I do outside of running also aids in my versatility. Lifting I think plays a good part in it, having solid physical strength and power combined with a great aerobic system makes a big difference especially as you start to get down to the 800/400. I also make it a goal of mine to be able to step on the line at any distance and be one of the most dangerous guys in the field. TSR: You are one of the most elite high school distance runners in the country right now. What is it like to be in the spotlight on a consistent basis? Have you felt any pressure? Leo: My mentality has not changed from when I wasn’t given as much consideration versus now when I’m receiving much more. I don’t pay much attention to what other people feel I should be doing. I know what I want and where I want to be, so any pressure to achieve is from me to me and being in the spotlight won’t change that. I’m grateful for the recognition, but in the end it doesn’t change much about my attitude in the sport. TSR: What are your goals for the rest of this cross country season? What do you want to accomplish? Leo: For me, obviously winning NXR and NXN are things I want very, very badly. But I don’t entirely consider those things actual goals just for my own mindset. I just see it differently. The real goals I have are the same goals I had set at the start of the season which is to never miss a day, any piece of the day, and to give maximum effort in each one (i.e. striving for perfection). The other was very simply to compete on a national level with everything I have. TSR: It’s still plenty early, and the cross country season isn’t even finished, but you ran a 4:03 mile last spring. Will you be aiming for a sub-four minute mile later this year? Leo: Yes, I will try at least once. TSR: Let’s shift away from high school and chat about college. You recently committed to the University of Washington where you will join Andy Powell and the Huskies. What made you choose UW? Leo: I loved the team and I loved the coaches. I felt like there was a serious opportunity for me not just to develop myself to the best I can be, but to aid in a potential championship team. I felt like I could help beyond just my speed or talent and hopefully bring something new to the team which could certainly result in big things. The academics at UW are also top-tier. TSR: What other programs were you looking at? What did Washington have that these other schools didn’t? Leo: UCLA, CU Boulder, and Oregon. My top priority when searching for a college was to find the best coach. Visit after visit, I began to realize that it was frankly impossible to distinguish. It made the choice very hard, but I felt a certain connection personally and philosophically with Andy that just wasn’t there with the other coaches. My gut told me before any of the visits, and after every single visit, that Washington was the best choice for me. TSR: Since the Powell’s entered the program in 2018, Washington has become drastically more competitive on the national stage. They have also recruited some of the best young talents in the country (and have received numerous top-tier transfers). Is it safe to say that Powell's are a big reason why so many of these top talents (like yourself) are going to Seattle? Leo: Yeah, that is a big reason, Andy is one of the best mid-distance coaches in the nation. He cares about his athletes, and he prioritizes what you want for yourself before what he wants for you. TSR: Tell us a little bit about your conversation(s) with Andy Powell. What was discussed? Was there a certain training approach that resonated with you? Leo: We talked a lot about training and the things I wanted to do with my running career and it seemed like we really meshed well with what was going to happen and how. His training and the relationship that I felt would develop between us felt very familiar to the relationship that I have with my high school coach, Coach Monty. TSR: Talk to us about your interactions with the team. What made you comfortable with being around and training with that group? Was there anyone/anything in particular that stood out to you? Leo: I could tell from just the couple days that the guys were very focused and prioritized running and their classes while also being lighthearted and fun to be around which was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to be around guys that could just grind and be dialed in all season long while still having fun and they were exactly that. TSR: When did you realize that Washington was where you wanted to be? Was it a relatively easy decision or did it take time to weigh your options? Leo: It was not an easy decision and it took quite a while to weigh all my options, even though my gut kept telling me Washington. I was very deliberate and logical when deciding and made sure that the place I chose was the absolute right choice. TSR: Give us your recruiting pitch for other top recruits to come to Washington. Leo: School and championships and running aside, Chris and Andy genuinely care about each and every one of their athletes on a personal level that goes beyond running. The coaches wants you to be happy, to be doing well in your classes, and to be healthy because they care about you as a person, not as a runner. Andy understands that none of us are runners, we’re just people who run. I personally wasn’t looking for this type of coach and it wasn’t the biggest reason I chose Washington. I chose Washington because that’s where I knew I would become the fastest I can possibly be and continue running past college and Andy was the guy who could help me make it happen. Also, the team is destined for greatness, there’s something great that’s on its way and you’re going to want to be part of it. TSR: What advice would you give to other athletes who are going through the college recruiting process? Leo: Choose the place where you know you will be happy. It doesn’t matter how fast or smart you are, if you’re not happy doing what you're doing and where you are, then you shouldn’t do it (or you should go somewhere that you'd be happy doing it). Take all of your visits. You genuinely never know what you might get out of a place until you actually go there and see it. TSR: Any final comments? Shout-outs? Leo: Thank you to my parents who went on every visit and supported and helped me the entire time, especially my mom. Thank you to my coach, who has also supported me and trained me to be as great as I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am today without any of them. Also my brother Will who currently runs cross country and track at UC Santa Cruz. He made me run during my freshman year when I had zero interest in running.

Taylor Ewert is one of the most dynamic high school distance running talents in the United States. Not only does she boast personal bests of 2:15 (800), 4:48 (mile), 10:17 (3200), and 16:57 (5k), but Ewert also owns top marks in events like the 2000 meter steeplechase (6:33) and the 3k/5k/10k racewalk. We caught up with the New Balance national champion and three-time cross country All-American (once Foot Locker, twice NXN) to discuss her recent commitment to the University of Arkansas... The Stride Report: We'll get to your college decision in a moment, but let's chat about all of your success at the high school level. You have displayed incredible range on the track and have been, without question, one of the top cross country runners in the nation. What has allowed you to be so dominant in each season of competition? Taylor Ewert: In my opinion, what has allowed me to dominate/stay competitive in each season is simply consistency. It starts with taking the appropriate amount of time off to rest the body and mind at the end of each season. Then, from there, beginning to slowly build up a strong base and not rushing the process. Each season, my goal is to become the best athlete that I can be by consistently staying healthy and staying consistent in my training and dedication to the sport. It’s allowed me to not only accomplish the goal of becoming the best athlete I can be, but also becoming one of the “best” in my sport. Of course, there are always highs and lows, but consistency and the ability to keep showing up is what I would say has allowed me to stay competitive. I would also have to add that being confident in your training and trusting that plan plays a big role as well. When you trust your training and you know what you are capable of doing...that kind of confidence becomes unstoppable! TSR: You're not the typical high school distance runner when it comes to event selection. You have ventured into non-traditional races like the steeplechase and racewalk. What prompted you to try those events? Taylor: I ventured into these events because I enjoyed them and it was a chance for me to challenge myself in other ways than just straight running. I picked up both the racewalk and steeplechase from doing a youth summer track club when I was younger. I grew up racewalking and it just stuck. For the steeplechase, my dad ran that event in college and I grew up watching my older brother, Ben, also run the steeplechase. It’s always something I wanted to do, so I tried it and it stuck as well. TSR: Throughout your high school career, you have finished 3rd and 18th at NXN, 4th at Foot Locker, have become a five-time New Balance national champion (twice in the racewalk indoors, once in the racewalk outdoors, and twice in the steeplechase), and have won numerous state titles. Out of all of these accomplishments, which are you most proud of? Is there any race in particular that really boosted your confidence or made you realize your potential? Taylor: I would have to say the biggest race for me that boosted my confidence, or made me believe what hard work could accomplish, was probably the first time I qualified for NXN and my first steeplechase national title. Qualifying for NXN was something I dreamed of maybe doing by my senior year. Then to have it happen my sophomore year was so unexpected. It really opened my eyes to a whole new world of competition. From there, I was hooked and it motivated me even more! My first steeplechase national title was similar. The win took place the same year after I qualified for NXN for the first time. My goal going into that steeplechase race was to just place in the top three. I remember crossing the line being so surprised that I had finished 1st. At the time, it was shocking, but then after reflecting on the race, it made sense. I had put in a lot of hard work going into the meet and I was ready to pop. Both of those races just gave me the confidence that if I worked hard and believed in myself, I could possibly accomplish more than I had originally thought. TSR: Alright, let's talk college. You recently committed to the University of Arkansas. What will you be studying? Taylor: I will be studying exercise science with a minor in nutrition. I am hoping to one day become a physical therapist and work with athletes. TSR: Who were the other schools you were talking to? What made Arkansas standout? Taylor: The other schools I talked to were Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, and Notre Dame. Arkansas stood out to me because of the combination of consistency in the program and the coaching. I wanted a school that would help take me to the next level and Arkansas just felt like the right fit for that goal. TSR: Arkansas is a consistent powerhouse distance program in the NCAA. In the eyes of many, they are the favorites to win the national team title in cross country this fall. Talk a little bit about the prestige of this group and how much that impacted your decision to join the Razorbacks. Taylor: Arkansas being a powerhouse definitely influenced my decision. When looking at schools, I wanted to go to a program where I would be surrounded by hard working and talented teammates. I also wanted a program where I knew that I would be apart of something bigger than myself. Arkansas offered all of that, along with being the national title favorites this year. That really backs up my reasoning for committing. TSR: What was your conversation like with coach Lance Harter? What made you realize that he would be the best coach for you? Taylor: I talked to a lot of coaches and when I talked to Coach Harter, I knew something was different. He was really honest and acted himself. I didn’t feel like he was putting up any front or was just telling me what I wanted to hear. I felt that I could trust him as a coach and he would support me as his athlete if I committed. Coach Harter was also all-in on the full package of racewalking and running. Even though in college I plan on focusing mainly on my running during the four year cycle before the 2024 Olympics, he was very open to allowing me to racewalk in college. In his words, he told me something along the lines of, "Racewalking can provide you with so many opportunities, so why would you want to close that door?” When Coach Harter said that, I knew it was a match and that he would support me and do what was best for accomplishing my goals as an individual. TSR: Tell us a little bit about your experience with meeting and talking with the team. Was there anything (or anyone) that stood out to you? Taylor: My experience going to Arkansas was great. Beside the coaching being a great fit, the team atmosphere there was so welcoming and kind. The team seemed all like-minded, well-rounded, and dedicated. On my visit, I could really see myself growing as an athlete and a person if I became a part of the team. What also stood out was the campus and location. Location wasn’t something I thought would play a part in my decision at all, but Arkansas felt like home. It was beautiful and I could see myself being feeling very comfortable there (even though I would be a 10 hour drive away from my actual home in Ohio). TSR: When did you realize that Arkansas was where you wanted to be? Was it a relatively easy decision or did it take time to weigh your options? Taylor: I don’t want to say it was an easy decision, but I had already narrowed it down to New Mexico or Arkansas. On the flight home after my visit to Arkansas is when I knew that it was going to be the right school for me. I took time to weigh my options to make sure I was making the right choice. That choice just ended up being Arkansas and my parents/coaches also agreed that Arkansas would be the best for me as well. TSR: Give us your recruiting pitch for other top recruits to come to Arkansas. Taylor: My recruiting pitch to other top recruits to come to Arkansas is to look at the history and data. Arkansas has 45 NCAA wins and I am sure that list will continue to grow. Beside the 45 wins, Coach Harter is incredibly well decorated with accomplishments. He has taken athletes and helped them become not only All-Americans, but NCAA champions, Olympians, and successful pro athletes. Not a lot of programs or coaches can say that when it comes to distance running. TSR: What advice would you give to other athletes who are going through the college recruiting process? Taylor: My advice to other athletes would be to take the time to do the research on the program you're interested in. Make sure the school is the right fit for you and has the facts to back it up. I would also make sure to not get caught up in the glitz and glammer of recruiting. Stay focused on what you are looking for and what you need to succeed...not what you want. TSR: Any final comments? Shout-outs? Taylor: My only shout-out would be to the other college coaches I got the pleasure of getting to know. They deserve a shout-out because before I chose Arkansas, they took the time to get to know me and tell me about their program. Most of these colleges also took time away from their team and lives to do home visits or provide official visits. I am grateful for the time I got to spend getting to know each coach and program even though, at the end of the day, I didn’t end up committing to their school. The other coaches were polite and understanding. So shout-out to those coaches for not only their hospitality, but their politeness and dedication to their job.

Evan Bishop is one of the top high school distance runners in the nation, owning personal bests of 14:30 for 5000 meters and 9:06 for 3200 meters. He is also a four-time All-American, twice on the track and twice in cross country, highlighted by a 9th place finish at the 2018 Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships. The Michigan native recently committed to the University of Wisconsin. Many thanks to Evan for taking the time to answer some of our questions! The Stride Report: Before we chat about your recent college commitment, let’s talk about your high school performances for a bit. Last spring you ran 14:30 for 5000 meters at New Balance Nationals to finish 4th overall. What has that race done for your confidence going into the summer and this fall? Evan Bishop: Running a 14:30 at the end of the track season was a confidence boost heading into my final high school cross country season. With the way the racing schedule is set up in Michigan, it’s tough to run fast when you are racing one to two times every week and running three to four events at each meet. You only get a few opportunities to run a fresh and fast race. I felt like 14:30 was finally a time I was proud of. It just validates the level that I’m at and my ability to compete with the other top guys in the country. TSR: So far this season, you’ve won six of your last seven races with four of those meets all coming in consecutive weeks. During the 2018 cross country season, you ended up earning All-American honors at both Footlocker and NXN. What do you think allows you to perform at such a high level despite a heavy volume of racing? Evan: The heavy volume of the racing schedule in Michigan can definitely be tough. At the same time, racing week in and week out forces you to stay mentally tough and gives you more racing experience. Win or lose, I try to learn something from each race so that regardless of the outcome, I am better moving forward. Having raced so frequently during the regular season allowed me to bring my best for three straight weekends at the end of the postseason for both the Footlocker and Nike regional meets as well as the National Championships. TSR: Let’s transition to the more recent news. You just announced your commitment to the University of Wisconsin. What made you choose the Badgers? Evan: I am really excited about Wisconsin. There were a lot of factors to consider, but ultimately it came down to the team culture, strength of the team, and the huge effort that Mick and Gavin made to make it clear that they wanted me to be a Badger. Wisconsin had both the high academic and athletic standards I was looking for in a school. TSR: What other schools were you looking at? What did Wisconsin have that those other schools didn’t? Evan: I got to talk to and get to know a lot of great coaches throughout the recruiting process. I narrowed down my top three to Michigan, UNC and Wisconsin. I really liked the size of the Wisconsin team and it was clear that Mick took the time to develop each athlete. Whether you’re a 4x NCAA champ or an incoming freshman, Mick will put the time in to help you be successful. The facilities, gear and resources were great, but it’s the people that make a place special and successful. TSR: Coach Byrne has built an elite powerhouse program in Madison, Wisconsin. Talk about how you see yourself fitting into their roster over the next few years. Evan: I am humbled to be joining such an incredible and historic program. I will be looking to help the team in any way I can. Wisconsin has very high goals for the next few years that align with my own and I am really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in terms of Big Ten, Regional, and National titles. TSR: What are your thoughts on transitioning to the 8000 meters and 10,000 meters during cross country? Evan: I’m really looking forward to the increase in distance. I think my strength is greater as the distance of the race increases. I’m excited to see what I can run in the 8k and 10k. TSR: Was there anything about the coaching staff, specifically Mick Byrne, that really caught your attention? Was there anything in particular that you liked? Evan: There were a few things that stood out to me about Mick. First, he’s a humble guy. His success speaks for itself. He has experience developing guys into National Champions and Olympians. Mick goes all out on what he thinks is important and invests a huge amount of time and effort into being a coach. He’s straightforward with you about everything. Whether it’s going to be great or upsetting news, Mick gives you the 100% truth. I really respect that and feel like that kind of clarity and honesty is super important in a coach-athlete relationship. TSR: What were your initial thoughts on the team? Was there anything that stood out to you? Evan: The team was awesome. Over the course of the weekend, every guy on the team made an effort to get to know me. It was a big deal to me that while these guys loved to have fun, they were extremely driven and focused on being successful. It was exactly the kind of culture I was looking for. TSR: Give us your recruiting pitch for other top recruits to come to Wisconsin. Evan: Wisconsin has historically been one of the most consistent and elite programs in the country. There’s a reason they’ve won 16 of the last 20 Big Ten titles. They know what it takes to develop a national championship cross country team because they have done it. The coaches and athletes care about you - you won’t just blend in with the crowd. The emphasis on excellence in the classroom is important at Wisconsin and there is a great balance between academics and athletics. As a bonus, Madison is an amazing city. TSR: What advice would you give to other athletes who are going through the college recruiting process? Evan: Take a breath and enjoy it. It’s a very small group of people that get to experience what you are going through. It can definitely be stressful at times, but remember that this decision is about you. Recruiting is a business, so you’re not going to offend anyone when you’ve found the place that’s the best fit for you. Figure out what you value most in a school and program, but don’t overthink it. You will know what feels right. TSR: Any final comments? Shout-outs? Evan: No one can be successful alone. I have an incredible support system to thank for helping me become the athlete I am today. My brothers Jonah and Rowen have been like mini trainers, biking alongside me on countless solo workouts and yelling splits and encouragement during races. I feel extremely lucky to have parents who have given me every possible opportunity; getting me to the starting line at all of the regional and national events to allow me to compete on the highest stage. I’m thankful for the unwavering support from grandparents, especially my Grandpa (Jaja), who has made it to almost every one of my races since 7th grade. I’ve been fortunate to have teammates who have supported me, trained alongside me, and kept practices fun. Finally, my coaches who have each helped develop different yet vital aspects of my game. Our head coach, Dan, has poured an enormous amount of time into writing workouts, strategizing, and helping bring the best out of me 365 days a year.

Alyssa Hendrix is a standout distance star from the state of Florida who has grown to prominence on the national stage. She has secured personal bests of 4:46 (mile), 10:32 (3200), and 17:24 (5k) while earning a pair of top 20 finishes at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. We caught up with the recent NC State commit to ask her a few questions... The Stride Report: We want to get to your college commitment, but let’s chat about your high school career for a moment. You’re a two-time top 20 finisher at the Foot Locker National Championships and a three-time individual state champion. What do you think has allowed you to run so well on some of the biggest stages? Alyssa Hendrix: I think what has allowed me to run so well is taking risks in those bigger races and mentally preparing myself for them. In races such as Foot Locker Nationals you have to go in having the mindset that you are ready to take chances and get out of your comfort zone. The only way to really test your boundaries and get fast times is to be uncomfortable in races. TSR: What are your expectations for the rest of this season? What are you hoping to accomplish? Alyssa: My expectations for the rest of this season are breaking 17 minutes and getting as close as I can to the Florida state record. Plus, I want to go to Foot Locker Nationals again for the third time. The last couple of years at Nationals I was not able to secure “All-American” status by getting top 15, but this year I think I can be top 10 or better. I feel really strong and have been killing workouts, so I think these goals are definitely attainable. TSR: Let’s transition to the more recent news. You just announced your commitment to NC State. Why did you choose the Wolfpack? Alyssa: I wanted a college that would give me a good balance with academics and athletics, but also feel like a home away from home. I was also looking for a team that would push me and that I felt comfortable around. Plus, the coaches seemed to really care about developing me not only as an athlete, but as a person. TSR: What other schools were you looking at? What made NC State standout compared to these other programs? Alyssa: I took a lot of unofficial visits, but I took officials to NC State, Furman, Vanderbilt, and Florida State. What made NC State standout was the atmosphere of the school and the history of the running program that was so special. Plus, I wanted to love a college and be able to see myself there even if I wasn’t running. I also loved the big city life of Raleigh, but when I was walking around the campus it didn’t feel like I was in a big city. North Carolina State was not the most flashy college I had visited, but it was the one that made me feel the most at home. TSR: NC State is positioned to be a very strong team for the next few years. How much of an allure did the idea of chasing podium finishes (or even a national title) appeal to you when making your decision? Alyssa: It had a big impact on my decision. To be on the podium holding a national title trophy is every runners dream and I believe NC State can make that dream come true. The program is already amazing, but I think the girls that they have brought in over the last couple of years and the girls going in with me this year are going to REALLY shake up the NCAA. TSR: Was there anything about the coaching staff, specifically Laurie Henes, that really caught your attention? Was there anything in particular that you liked? Alyssa: The coaching staff was one of the biggest factors in my decision for sure. From the beginning I felt that it was really easy to talk to them and that our goals were very similar. Coach Henes was someone that I felt I could trust as a coach and a mentor throughout my next four to five years in college. I also really liked how she focused on the development of athletes and was very down to Earth as a person. TSR: What were your initial thoughts on the team? Was there anything that stood out to you? Alyssa: The girls from all my college visits were great and very welcoming. However, the girls at NC State I felt like I fit in the best with. The girls were so close-knit with each other and I could feel the love they had for not only the program as a whole, but with one another. I also really liked the boy’s team and how close they were with the girl’s team. TSR: When did you realize that NC State was going to be your choice? Was there a moment of realization - whether it be on your official visit or after - where you realized that you wanted to be at NC State more than any other school? Alyssa: NC State was one of the first unofficial visits I took my sophomore year and I remember loving it and feeling very comfortable there, so it was always one of my top schools. However, I really didn’t know I wanted to go there until after all my official visits were done and I sat down with my parents at the kitchen table to talk about each program. Finally being able to relax and look at the pros and cons of each college based on the team, coaches, and running program made me realize that NC State was the best fit for me. TSR: Give us your recruiting pitch for other top recruits to come to NC State. Alyssa: NC State is a program that on multiple occasions has shown dominance in the running world, and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. For instance, the women’s program leads the ACC Cross Country Championships with a record 24 wins. In addition, during this past 2018 cross country season, they won ACC’s for the third-straight time. This is a program that is going to really push you to be the best athlete that you can be while also having the combination of exceptional people, not just athletes. Plus, the coaching staff is amazing and really value working on you as a person and an athlete. The city of Raleigh is also really beautiful, and the weather is amazing. TSR: What advice would you give to other athletes who are going through the college recruiting process? Alyssa: Anytime an athlete asks for advice about the college recruiting process I always say to trust your gut and to get a head start in your college search. I started looking at possible colleges around the end of my sophomore cross country season and I think it really helped with the pressure of deciding possible official visits. TSR: Any final comments? Shout-outs? Alyssa: All the fancy gear and VIP treatment that every college has is amazing (some more than others) and very tempting. However, what I focused on the most was the people I was going to surround myself with because those are the ones who are going to help you get to where you want as an athlete. Also, don’t allow other people’s opinions to get in the way of your college decision either. Everyone has their own opinion about what college you should go to, but you are the one that is actually going to be attending the school. Thank you to all of the colleges that have shown interest in me and all the people who have made me the person I am today! I can’t wait to join the Wolfpack!