The 5-foot-7, 125-pound senior distance talent finished fifth in the mile at the Brooks PR Invitational this past season with a state-record time of 4:01.83, which ranked No. 10 nationally among prep boys competitors this spring. The 2025-26 Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, Van Laningham won the 1,600-meter run at the Class 3A state meet and finished as runner-up in both the 800 and 3,200. He also finished in the Top 10 in both the mile and 2-mile run at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and his 2-mile time of 8;49.95 ranked No. 11 nationally.
Van Laningham has maintained a weighted 4.62 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to compete at the University of Wisconsin this fall.
A member of the freshmen mentor program at Cooper High, Van Laningham has volunteered locally as part of multiple community service initiatives through his church youth group.
