North Central University Athletics

2025 Season Highlights

Competed in both the indoor and outdoor seasons for the Rams... In the indoor season, he competed in the UMAC Indoor Championships, where he placed 6th in the DMR with a time of 12:51.60... He also set a personal record at this meet in the 3000 with a time of 10:21.29... In the outdoor season, he placed 6th in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:10.23... He also placed 8th in the javelin throw, marking 22.61 and setting a personal record... Finished 4th in the 5000 at the Gary Wilson Invitational with a time of 18:04.57... Competed in the Outdoor UMAC Champioships, where he placed 5th in the 4x800 with a time of 9:12.37... He also set two personal records in the 400 hurdles (1:09.62, 12th) and the 5000 (17:57.32, 17th)... Earned the NCCAA Scholar Athlete award... Fall Athletic Director Honor Roll... UMAC Academic All-Conference... 2025 Spring Athletic Director Honor Roll Award.

Prep Career

Ran for Mountain Iron-Buhl High School... HSHSL most valuable teammate in 2023... XC Captain 2022, 2023... Runs 1500m, 800m... Graduated in 2024...

Personal

Leighton was born on February 10, 2006... Parents are Eric and Hannah Helander... Siblings are Jasper, Tiernan, and Cornac Helander... Fifth place speech winner 2024... Speech captain 2024... Participated in National Honor Society... Student Council... School Forest Committee... Drama.