Production via Wyatt Barnsley On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Garrett breaks down a flurry of major transfer moves shaking up the NCAA distance scene. Where could Solomon Kipchoge end up after hitting the transfer portal? What about Leah Stephens? Meanwhile, Virginia and Colorado bring in a major haul of names while NC State and UNC both see big-time talents come and go. Tune-in for full analysis, team breakdowns and early analysis as the offseason transfer dominoes begin to fall. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review! (2:43) Solomon Kipchoge Enters Transfer Portal (8:22) Leah Stephens Leaves NC State (15:11) Virginia Brings in Huge Transfer Class (24:18) NC State Brings in Trio of Women (31:32) Colorado Brings in Quartet of Women via Transfer (37:14) How Will UNC Replace Strand & Wolfe? (43:33) Vera Sjoberg Transfers to UNC You can listen to that episode (and others) on our PODCASTS  page! You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud. If you like it, be sure to leave us a rating  and a review ! Note: If you're having issues loading the episode on the site via mobile, try refreshing  the episode page. We will look into this issue for future episodes.

Last week, multiple outlets reported that Texas State will be leaving the Sun Belt Conference for the PAC-12. On Monday, that news became official as both Texas State and the PAC-12 announced that the Bobcats will be joining the revamped conference starting in the fall of 2026. As part of the move, Texas State's Board of Regents approved a $5 million buyout to depart from the Sun Belt Conference. That approval came before July 1st of 2025, the date when the Bobcats' buyout from the Sun Belt would have doubled from $5 million to $10 million . Early reports indicate that the Sun Belt will add either Louisiana Tech or Western Kentucky, current members of the Conference USA, as the newest members of their conference. Texas State now joins Washington State, Oregon State, Gonzaga, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State and Fresno State as members of the newly-revamped PAC-12 Conference. * * * The Bobcats are, admittedly, far from a major power as far as collegiate athletics are concerned. However, by joining the PAC-12, Texas State becomes the conference's eighth member to sponsor football. Eight is the minimum number of league members needed in order for a conference to be eligibile for postseason play in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Yes, it is true that Texas State is actually the ninth member to join the PAC-12 since the conference began their membership rebuild two years ago. However, Gonzaga does not sponsor football and therefore does not help the PAC-12 reach it's minimum of eight football-playing members. The PAC-12 had until July 1st of 2026 to find eight member schools that sponsor football. If they did not, they would no longer be recognized as an FBS conference. That would have been a beyond-massive blow for the PAC-12, a conference that just extended their media rights deal with CBS Sports through the 2030-2031 academic calendar year. Failure to reach eight football-playing members would have jeopardized that same CBS Sports media deal and the long-term stability of the PAC-12 in general. And in an absolute worst-case, all-hell-breaks-loose scenario, the PAC-12 could have dissolved, entirely, meaning that their rebuild would have been all for naught. * * * When it comes to track and field, the Texas State men and women have been formidable members of the Sun Belt, and even on larger stages. The Bobcats won both their men's and women's outdoor track conference team titles this past spring. The women also won their indoor track conference team title this past winter. Although, admittedly, Texas State is better known for their field specialists than they are their distance events. This past spring, the Bobcat men sent two high jumpers, Kason O'Riley and Aiden Hayes, as well as long jumper and triple jumper, Chris Preddie, to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. There, O'Riley and Hayes placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, to earn top-half All-American honors. Kason O'Riley competing in the high jump at the NCAA Championships // Photo via Texas State Athletics On the women's side, shot putter Melanie Duron and hammer thrower Lara Roberts also qualified for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The latter name secured a bronze medal to end her spring season. When it comes to cross country, the Bobcat men and women have produced shrug-inducing result at prior Sun Belt XC Championships. Last fall, the Texas State men and women both recorded 5th place team finishes.

Rankings construction & analysis by Donny Speas, Joiner Evans & Jonas Price Edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! Every year, we craft rankings for the top-50 distance recruits from the senior class across the United States. Then, at the end of each season, we update our lists to include any new names who have suddenly risen to national prominence. This is the fourth and final ranking update for the Class of 2025. Remember, these lists are for current high school seniors who specialize in the 800 meters and/or higher. As always, our rankings take a wholistic approach. We look at results across all three seasons of competition and also evaluate a multitude of intangibles such as consistency, experience, progression, momentum, range, etc. Oh, and fast times help...a lot. CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR FULL RANKINGS

Production via Wyatt Barnsley On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett close out the 2025 NCAA track season with TSR’s trimestrial End of Season Awards! From breakout freshmen to elite performances and the most dominant distance runners in the country, the guys run through every major category. Who was the most improved? Which distance coach stood above the rest? And who earned the title of Most Valuable Runner? Tune-in for the full list of nominees and plenty of debate as we celebrate an unforgettable year in collegiate distance running. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review! (3:45) Best Freshman Nominees (Men) (9:09) Best Freshman Nominees (Women) (14:40) Most Improved Nominees (Men) (20:32) Most Improved Nominees (Women) (25:42) Best Performance Nominees (Men) (31:16) Best Performance Nominees (Women) (35:03) Best Distance Coach Nominees (Men) (40:35) Best Distance Coach Nominees (Women) (44:31) Most Valuable Runner Nominees (Men) (48:55) Most Valuable Runner Nominees (Women) You can listen to that episode (and others) on our PODCASTS  page! You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud. If you like it, be sure to leave us a rating  and a review ! Note: If you're having issues loading the episode on the site via mobile, try refreshing  the episode page. We will look into this issue for future episodes.