The weeklong USA Track and Field Junior Olympics competition concluded Sunday at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State University.
The event drew more than 6,000 athletes from all over the U.S. to compete in age group categories that ranged from 8-under to 17-18. The seven-day event produced four USATF age group records. (Results will post to MileSplit and are also available via the Record Timing website.)
The following is a recap sampling winners with a focus on recognizable CA athletes and clubs. Please alert us to any event winners from CA-based clubs not included below and we will update the article.
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First among them is Jathiyah Muhammad, the rising junior at Dublin (NC) HS and CIF-State champion in the pole vault. Muhammad, competing for Mission Valley TC (Union City, CA) won the 15-16 age division pole vault with a best of 13-3.50. She has a PR of 14-0 and won the State Meet title at 13-9,
Muhammad cleared her first three heights at 12-3.50, 12-9.50, and 13-3.50 before missing at 13-7.25.
The competition opened at 7-4.50 and only three other girls remained when Muhammad took her opening jump. Addison Kleinke (Unattached/OR) opened with a clear at 11-9.75, got over 12-3.50 on her second attempt, and cleared 12-9.50 on her first attempt before missing at 13-3.50. She placed second. Anna Willis (Above the Bar/Classical Academy/CO) opened at 11-3.75, clearing on her third attempt. She was clean on her first jump at 11-9.75, cleared 12-3.50 on her third attempt at 12-9.50 on her second attempt before missing at 13-3.50. She placed third. Elizabeth Dowdy (Unattached/Maclay School/FL) was fourth with a best of 11-9.75.
Jathiyah's brother Khaliq Muhammad, a rising sophomore at Dublin also competing for Mission Valley TC, also won in his age division (15-16) with a top clearance of 14-3.25.
Khaliq entered the completion at 12-9.50 and was clean through his first four heights before missing at 14-9.
Logan Meredith (Unattached/Ourland/NS), the Northern Section champion as a freshman and a State Meet qualifier, opened at 11-9.75 and was clean through 13-3.50 before missing at 13-9.25. Sylvan Osman (Unattached/Lake Havasu/AZ) tied Meredith for second at 13-3.50.
The Muhammad siblings were among nine CA high school standouts who won 10 division titles. Other winners (with more details below) were Xai Ricks (Long Beach Poly/SS) in both the 400 meters and 800 meters; MaKenna Herbst (Carlsbad/SD) in the 800m, Hudson Hergenrader (Buchanan/CS) in the 110m hurdles, Giselle Kirchner (Rocklin/SJ) in the 100m hurdles, Ashanti Elie (Whitney/SJ) in the high jump, Brandon Cheeks II (Mission Bay/SD) in the long jump, and Aja Johnson (Sherman Oaks Notre Dame/SS) in the shot put.
Event-by-event sampling of results
TRACK EVENTS
100 meter dash
Madison Marshall (Major Impact/GA) won the girls 8-under 100m dash in 14.585 (nwi) to barely beat Mila Woolforde (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) who was timed in 14.590. Ayalani Hill (GitBizzy Athletics) was third in 15.18 (0.) and Aiyana Jones (San Diego Elite Youth) was fourth in 15.19.
Trinity Williams (Dave Bethany TC/Fresno, TX) won the girls 9-10 division final in 13.28 (-0.1) with Swann Lawrence (Fresno (CA) Flyers) second in 13.34, Sophie Day (Drive Phase/GA) third in 13.66 and Kaliyah Verde (Mercury San Diego) fourth in 13.84.
Beaux Hudson (Houston Youth/TX) won the boys 9-10 short sprint in 12.94 (-1.6) to beat Brennan Williams (Drive Phase/GA) 13.54. Andrake Shorty (Playmakers Elite/Sacramento) was third in 13.83 with Aryian Shackelford (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) fourth in 13.91
Aniya Scott (San Diego Elite Youth) won the girls 11-12 division final in 12.58 (-0.9) to beat Saniyah Hard (God Speed TC/Stockton, CA) 12.79 and Mia Monroe (Oakland (CA) PAL) 13.04.
Malcolm Donaldson (Unattached) won the boys 11-12 division final in 12.31 (-1.0) to beat Adrian Campbell Jr. (San Diego Elite Youth) 12.43 and Ryan Bose (ODM TC) 12.56.
Somto Igwilo (Major Impact/GA) won the girls 13-14 division in 11.94 (-0.6) to beat Adyn Kinard (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) 12.19 and Mayen Usoro (Do Right Educational/Phoenix, AZ) 12.28. Justine Wilson (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) was fourth in 12.44.
Jalen Aguilar-Carnes (Lane 5/Palmdale, CA) won the boys 13-14 division in 11.14 (-0.9) to hold off Malachi Dawson (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) 11.18 and Rhoan Kaulder II (Maximum Velocity/NY) 11.20.
Nita Koom-Dadzie (Houston Youth) won the girls 15-16 division in 12.00 (-2.9) to beat Madeline Cooper (Sapphire - Ruff Riders/GA) 12.11. Catalina Sanchious (MVP League/VA) placed third in 12.22 with Braelyn Baker (Redmond Sprint/WA) fourth in 12.323 to edge Mikaela Warr (Unattached/Canyon Country Canyon/SS) at 12.326.
200-meter dash
Swann Lawrence (Fresno (CA) Flyers Track) won the girls 9-10 division in 27.61 to beat Jasmine Wilson (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) 27.72.
Beaux Hudson (Houston Youth Track) won the boys 9-10 division in 26.08 (-0.6) to beat Brennan Williams (Drive Phase/GA) 27.32 and Aryian Shackelford (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) 27.70.
Brandon LaFell Jr (Dave Bethany/Fresno, TX) won the boys 11-12 division in 24.42 (-2.3) to beat Malcolm Donaldson (Unattached), 24.71, and Adrian Campbell Jr. (San Diego Elite) 25.06.
Somto Igwilo (Major Impact/GA) won the girls 13-14 division in 24.63 (-4.3) to beat Adyn Kinard (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) 24.79.
Carter Cukerstein (Legion TC/NY) won the boys 17-18 division in 21.21 (-0.8) to beat Amari Turner (Speed Academy /FL), 21.56, Jacob Andres (Ready Set Go/WA) 21.69, and Jaylen McCabe (Team Blackout Elite/WA) 21.93.
400-meter dash
Xai Ricks of Long Beach Poly (SS) competing unattached, won the 15-16 division in 48.09 to beat Jaden Marchan (Unattached/NJ) who ran 48.36.
Byleigh Minor (Afterburners/TX) won the 5-15 400m in 54.49 to beat Payton Smith of La Jolla HS (SD) and Havoc Youth TC (55.78).
Claire Farrell (MVP T&F Club/Iowa) won the 17-18 400m in 54.70. Aliyah Williams (Central Valley Roadrunners/Edison HS/SJ) was fourth in 57.37.
Jaelen Hunter of Compton (CA) Electric Speed won the 13-14 400m in 50.27 to beat Kenyon Andrews (South Central Athletic/WA), who ran 50.38.
Jaiya Patillo, competing unattached, won the 13-14 in 56.05 with Ashtyn Lewis (Houston Youth Track) second in 57.60, Brooke Blue (Pacific Coast Shock Waves) third in 57.78, and Xiomara Lewis (Pacific Coast Shockwaves) fourth in 58.16.
Jace Coleman (Northwest Flyers/TX) won the boys 9-10 race in 1:03.14 to beat Kameron Newell (Massey Miracle Run/LA), 1:03.16, and Daniel Lopez (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) 1:03.61.
Taraji Williams (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) won the girls 11-12 division in 58.12 to beat Brooklyn Fowler (Imani Speedcity/Lynwood, CA) 59.52. Dylan Daniels (San Diego Elite Youth) was a close fourth in 59.900 just behind Sa'Niyah Williams (Atlanta Zoom Athletics) in 59.898. Coco Chanel Mitchell (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) was fifth in 1:00.54.
Brandon LaFell Jr. (Dave Bethany/TX) won the boys 11-12 division final in 54.52 to hold off Chase Wooley (Texas Storm) who ran 54.74, and Adrian Campbell Jr. (San Diego Elite Youth) 54.77. Jeremiah Easley (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) was fourth in 55.99 and Gavin Shaw (East Palo Alto (CA) Greyhounds) was fifth in 56.57.
Jaiya Patillo (Unattached) won the girls 13-14 division in 56.05 to easily beat Ashtyn Lewis (Houston Youth) 57.60. Brooke Blue (57.78) and Xiomara Lewis (58.16), both of the Pacific Coast Shockwaves, placed third and fourth, respectively. DeAnna Louis (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) was fifth in 58.47.
Jaelen Hunter (Compton (CA) Electric Speed) won the boys 13-14 division in 50.27 to hold off Kenyon Andress (South Central Athletic/WA) 50.38. Lewis Murphy II (Texas Storm) was third in 53.10.
Bayleigh Minor (Afterburners/TX) won the girls 15-16 race in 54.49 to beat Payton Smith (Havoc Youth TC/La Jolla HS/SD) 55.78.
Claire Farrell (MVP T&F/Iowa) won the girls 17-18 division in 54.70 to beat Laubenra Ben (Minnesota Sprint Factor) 55.84. Davenae Fagan (Drive Phase/GA) was third in 56.36 and Aliyah Williams (Central Valley Roadrunners/WA) was fourth in 57.37.
800-meter run
Makenna Herbst (Unattached/Carlsbad HS/SD) won the girls 15-16 division in 2:15.00 to hold off Taylor Brown (North Texas Jackrabbits), 2:15.22. Chloe Elbaz (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) placed fourth in 2:16.69. Herbst (pictured above, bib 5507), is a rising sophomore who placed third in the San Diego Section Finals in the 200m (57.48) and ran her PR of 56.39 at the CIF-State Meet Prelims, placing 10th, missing a top-nine spot in the State Final by .08. She ran her 800m PR of 2:13.38 to win at the USATF Regional Qualifier in June. Herbst is among the elite runners in the 2025 class at both distances, ranking No. 4 in CA for 400m and No. 5 for 800m.
Abram Velezquez (Do Right Educational/Phoenix, AZ) won the boys 9-10 division in 2:24.20 to beat Ryder Shaw (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) 2:25.19. Daniel Lopez (Valley United/Santa Clarita, CA) was fourth in 2:27.53.
Ava Padilla (Unattached) won the girls 11-12 division in 2:16.39 to beat Jaraji Williams (Black Lightning/Lakewood, CA) 2:16.71, Azra Greek (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) 2:2007, and Kaia Streadbeck (Black Lightning) 2:20.92.
Katelyn Kliesch (Ocean Breeze Wave Runners/NY) won the girls 13-14 race in 2:13.59 with Xiomara Lewis (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) second in 2:16.70.
Jerry Witter (Velocity Kids Club/Utah) won the boys 13-14 race in 2:03.13 with Josiah Bowman (San Diego Waves) second in 2:04.10.
Xai Ricks (Unattached/Long Beach Poly HS/SS) won the boys 15-16 division in 1:54.78 to beat Josiah Anderson (Arizona Rising Suns) 1:57.10 and Remy Strichartz (Unattached - WI) 1:57.71.
Sasha Crawford (North Texas Cheetahs) won the girls 17-18 division in 2:08.56. Hayley Trotter (Kansas Flyers) was second in 2:12.36 with Aliyah Williams (Central Valley Roadrunners/Ceres, CA) third in 2:12.68.
1500-meter run
Andrew Spect (LV Speed, NV) won the 17-18d division in 3:57.94 to beat Evan Bruce (Spokane (WA) Speed Academy), who placed second in 4:01.89.
McKenna Kozeluh (North Idaho Blaze) won the 17-18 division in 4:46.58 to beat Orlaan Winston (Xtreme Speed/WA), who placed second in 4:49.73.
Logan Scott (LV Speed) won the 15-16 division in 4:04.83 to beat Reme Strichartz (Unattached), who ran 4:07.05 for second place. Saul Orozco of the Pacific Coast Shockwaves placed fifth in 4:09.89.
Alexis Leone (Unattached/WA) won the 15-16 division in 4:36.45 to beat Chloe Elbaz (Pacific Coast Shockwaves) who ran 4:42.30 for second place.
Josiah Bowman (San Diego Waves XTC) won the 13-14 boys division in 4:15.69 to hold off Kevin Steinman of Cal Coast Track of Newport Beach (4:16.03).
Katelyn Kliesch (Ocean Breeze Wave/NY) won the 13-14 girls division in 4:42.78 to beat Ellery Lincoln of Beaverton (OR) Youth Track (4:43.25). Reese Holley of San Diego Waves XTC placed fifth in 4:49.64.
3000-meter run
Ava Padilla (Unattached) won the girls 11-12 division in 10:25.28 to beat Charlene Evangelista (Unattached - CA), who ran 10:25.79. Lindsey Billotte (San Diego Waves XTC) was fourth in 10:45.30.
Quenton Lanese (Barron Park Striders/WA) set a national record in the boys 11-12 division race, running 9:31.17. Runner-up Elias Thronson (Delta Hawks/Sacramento, CA) also went under the previous record of 9:38.51, running 9:35.74. Michael Studer (Greater Lowell Road) also went under 9:40, placing third in 9:39.50.
Adria Favero (Wolfpack Running Club/Utah) won the girls 13-14 division in 10:03.32. Riona Street (Houston Youth Trak) was a distant second in 10:23.98 and Reese Holley (San Diego Waves XTC) was third in 10:28.95.
Kevin Steinman (Cal Coast Track/Newport Beach, CA) won the boys 13-14 division in 9:25.27 with Patrick Noonan (Waltham Track/MA) second in 9:32.12. Steinman will be an incoming freshman at Corona del Mar HS (SS).
Alexis Leone (Unattached/WA) won the girls 15-16 division in 10:05.55. Zoe Carter (Unattached) was a distant second in 10:36.75.
McKenna Kozeluh (North Idaho Blaze) won the women's 17-18 division in 10:16.27 with Kassandra Jimenez (El Paso (TX) Wings Track) second in 10:40.59 and Abby Crossley (Valley Flash/WA) third in 10:41.21.
Logan Scott (LV Speed/NV) won the boys 15-16 race in 8:52.06 to beat Daniel Skandera (Unattached) 8:56.96. Saul Orozco (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) was fourth in 9:03.50.
110-meter hurdles
Hudson Hergenrader (Unattached/Buchanan HS/CS) won the boys 15-16 division in 14.94 (-0.7) with Aaron Yount Jr. (San Diego Elite) second in 15.34 and Nicholas Crosswhite (Quicksilver) third in 15.40.
Andre Korbmaher (Ready Set Go/WA) won the boys 17-18 division in 13.68 (-0.8) to beat Landon Helms (Unattached) 13.98 and Alexander Chukwukelu (Major Impact-TX) 14.00. Jaylen McCabe of Team Blackout Elite (WA) was fourth in 14.31.
100-meter hurdles
Giselle 'Gigi' Kirchner (Revolution Express/Rocklin HS/SJ) won the girls 15-16 division in 14.57 (-1.4) with Madeline Cooper (Sapphire - Ruff Rider/GA) second in 14.81. Anisa Bowen-Fontenot (Mercury/San Diego HS/SD) was fourth in 15.00. Kirchner, a rising junior, placed fourth in the 100m hurdles at the CIF-State Finals in late May and ran a PR of 14.03 to win the Sac-Joaquin Section title.
Emmi Scales (TNT T&F Academy) won the girls 17-18 division in 13.52 (-2.0) with Kaycee McCoy (Houston Youth Track) second in 13.99. Y'vette Harris (God Speed TC/Stockton, CA) was seventh in 14.93. Harris, a rising senior at Stockton Lincoln HS (SJ) was a CIF-State Meet finalist in both hurdles events, winning a silver medal in the 100mH (14.12). She ran her PR in that event of 14.00 (1.2) in her State Preliminary heat.
Heptathlon
Rylee Lydon of TNT T&F won the girls 17-18 division with 4677 points. Y'vette Harris (God Speed/Stockton Lincoln/SJ) placed second in 4643. Harris had marks of 14.49 (100H), 1.50 (HJ), 8.01 (SP), 26.45 (200m), 4.99 (LJ), 32.31 (Jai) and 2:23.25 (800m). Logan Todorovich (Helena Novas) was third with 4447 points.
Pentathlon
Emerson Ellis (Team Analysis) won the 11-12 Division with 2431 points. Hailee Foster (High Voltage/WA) was second with 2250 points, Anya Harris (Oakland (CA) PAL) was third with 2156 points, Taylor Tokeshi (Chino (CA) Pumas) was fourth with 2154 points. Also, Roxanne Rivera (Pacific Coast Shockwaves/Anaheim, CA) was sixth with 2023 points.
FIELD EVENTS
High Jump
Jalen Lott (North Texas Jackrabbits) won the boys 13-14 high jump with a best of 5-8.75 to beat Parker Klein (Unattached) who jumped 5-7. Blaise Buswell (LEAP Squad/Santa Ana, CA) also cleared 5-7 for fourth place.
Kyra Bakke (Inner Circle/OR) won the girls 15-16 division at 5-3 to beat Evan Giles (Houston Youth Track), who placed second at 5-1.
AJ McGloflin, competing unattached, won the 17-18 boys high jump at 6-8.75 to beat Brennen McHenry (Phoenix Bobcats), who cleared 6-6.75.
David Madison (North Texas Jackrabbits) won the boys 15-16 division at 6-6.75. Nicholas Crosswhite (Quicksilver) was second and Porter Gibbs (Unattached) was third, both with 6-2.75 clearances. Legend Moore (God Speed) was fifth at 6-0.75.
Long Jump
Aryian Shackelford (Valley United Track/Santa Clarita, CA) won the boys 9-10 competition with a best of 15-9.25 (0.0).
Triple Jump
Sydnee Burr (Houston Youth Track) won the girls 17-18 division with a best of 39-1 (1.2) to beat Hannah Forde (Major Impact/TX) 38-0.75 (3.4). Juliana Roberson (Revolution Express/Whitney HS/SJ) placed third at 37-5.25 (0.9).
Nicolas Cross white (Quicksilver) won the boys 15-16 division with a mark of 46-8 (0.9) to beat Tawaf Aoudou (GLS Speed) 45-7 (1.2). Brandon Cheeks II (CTG Development/Mission Bay HS/SD) was third with a best of 45-1.50 (2.3), Toluwalope Jekayinfa (LEAP Squad) was fourth (44-0.75/0.5), and Mekhi Corner (Pasadena Running Roses) was fifth (43-3.25/0.5).
Pole Vault
Landon Helms, the Idaho state champion competing unattached, won the 17-18 boys pole vault competition at 16-4.75 to beat Zach Bingham, the Arizona state champion, also competing unattached, who cleared 15-7 for second. CIF-State champion Hunter O'Brien (Roosevelt HS/Ultimate Pole Vault) cleared 15-1 for third. Ian Strode of Turlock HS (SJ)/Rise Above Vault Club, tied for fourth at 14-7.25.
Discus Throw
Brielle Lawson (Afterburners/TX) won the girls 13-14 with a best of 118-8.50 to beat Zoey Hubert (Northwest Flyers/TX), 114-0, and Gracelynne Duenas (Lodi/CA) 105-0.50.
Hannah Alexander (AthLead Indy) won the girls 15-16 discus throw at 146-6. Valerie Hunt (Unattached - TX) was second at 142-10. Aja Johnson (Unattached/Sherman Oaks Notre Dame/SS) was fourth at 134-0.
Kyeese Hollands (Albina Roadrunners/OR) won the girls 17-18 division with a best of 144-7.50 to beat Sariyah Horne (Golden State Throwers/El Camino Fundamental/Sj) who went 141-2. Ningning O'Brien (Unattached/Homestead/CC) placed fifth at 132-6.50.
Javelin
Millen Dhiman (Westfield Area Flyers/NJ) set a national boys 11-12 record with a mark of 147-6 that shattered the previous standard of 140-9. Paid Montana (Elite Striders) was second at 126-6.
Shot Put
Isaac Ackerman (Boys & Girls of Midlands/TX) won the boys 15-16 shot put with a best of 16.07 to beat Evan Khoo (Arizona Flames) 15.61. Hagop Marmarian (Pasadena Running Roses/Marshall Fundamental HS/SS) placed third at 15.06.
Jiovanni Davis (Covina (CA) Shooting Stars) won the boys 8-under shot put with a best of 8.04 to beat Devin Buckhanon (Afterburners/TX) 7.79.
Photos/Interviews by James Leash and Dan Tyree