Boys Cross Country: New Trier’s Leland Later picks Cal

Updated: December 21, 2011 6:18PM

Leland Later always wanted to run in college.

The New Trier senior figured he would pick a school and see if he could run there.

It wasn’t until this year that running opened up more options for him.

College coaches first took notice after Later finished fourth in the 1,600 meters at the state track and field meet as a junior. The calls and letters continued during and after Later’s championship cross country season.

Later made it known Tuesday he verbally committed to run for Cal-Berkeley next year. He picked the Pac-12 school over Wisconsin, where Oak Park-River Forest’s Malachy Schrobilgen is going next year. The Huskies senior took third place at the state meet in cross country.

“I realized I could use my running to get into some of these schools,” Later said. “Running definitely opened up a bunch of doors for me. This time last year I was not set on running Division I or at a major college.”

Later visited Cal after winning the CSL meet in October. He then finished first at the Loyola Regional and Niles West Sectional before taking the Class 3A title in Peoria in early November.

“This season made me realize I could contribute to a major Division I program,” he said.

While Later ultimately chose the Bears over the Badgers, who won this season’s national championship, he also considered Columbia (N.Y.), Duke and North Carolina.

The opportunity to run year round in scenic Northern California and compete in the Pac-12 against powerhouse programs such as Oregon, Stanford and Colorado tipped the scales in favor of Cal.

“The conference is loaded with high-level competition,” Later said. “I also wanted to train in a nicer climate and see a different part of the country.”

Now that his future home is decided, Later can focus solely on preparing for his senior track season. He should be among the favorites in the mile after the three top finishers all graduated.

“This is a whole load off my back,” Later said. “I will be able to train with a clear head, and I won’t have to really impress anybody early on in the track season. I can just focus on my goals.”

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