Photo by Jacob Teng || Califonrina Winter Track and Field Championships
The annual coming-out party of California's best track and field athletes did not disappoint with a slew of record-breaking performances and thrilling competitions.
Brandon Arrington and Liam Miller were the only double winners at the 2025 California Winter Track and Field Championships. While Ellie McCuskey-Hay and Charlotte Hopkins' demonstrated their readiness for the regular season.
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Liam Miller, out of South Torrance Track Club, won the boys' 1500m with a time of 3:55.10 and the 3000m in a new meet record of 8:26.46. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commit was somewhat disappointed to miss Justin Petre's 1500m meet record of 3:54.37, set in 2023, but he couldn't complain since an injury cut his last season short.
"Emotionally, it's awesome to see those times cut down, but physically, it does take a lot of work. I'm in the gym three to four hours a week doing strength training. And my warm-up routine is now an hour and a half instead of fifteen minutes." - Liam Miller
He returned to win and break the 3000m meet record by about 6 seconds. In his interview, Miller said that this performance should convert to about 8:52 in the 3200m. He's in great shape and looks forward to competing with the best in California this season.
Arcadia TC's Charlotte Hopkins also emerged as a serious threat after her victory in the 3000m. Hopkins won by only 55 hundredths of a second to run 9:54.09 against Megan Crum, who won the 1500m in the morning.
Last season, she competed in unattached and club races as a sophomore after attending La Canada Flintridge Prep during her first year. Now, in her junior season at Arcadia High School, the CA Winter Track and Field Championships may be a launching point for a successful 2025.
Brandon Arrington, representing Mount Miguel TC, stole the show with his 6.67 performance in the 60m dash and doubling back with a 15.26 in the 150m. That 60m performance makes him U.S. No.3 in the 60m and added fuel to his fire heading into Nike Indoor Nationals next month.
"This meet told me a lot about myself for (Nike Indoor Nationals). I'm just gonna keep a growth mindset, then go out there and try to execute because I'm gonna have more competition-it's gonna be better."- Brandon Arrington
According to ESPN, Arrington is the U.S. number one ranked football wide receiver in the 2026 class. This makes him a must-watch for football fans across the nation, but there's no doubt he will soon become the same thing for track fans across the country.
Ellie Mccuskey-Hay had a hectic day competing in four different events and winning one over a very talented field. She first won the 60m dash over Carson's Christina Gray, who beat her at the CIF State Championship last season in the 100m and 200m. McCuskey-Hay clocked a time of 7.49, which was the first of three PRs on the day.
Immediately after the 60m, she ran to the Long Jump runway to start the competition. After completing her first two jumps, she was back on the track. McCuskey-Hay finished 6th in the 150m dash and completed her last two long jump attempts within fifteen minutes. With a heptathlete background, this was no problem as she finished the day 4th in the 300m and a personal record of 39.59.
Ellie McCauskey-Hay after competing in the 60m, 150m, and Long Jump at the 2025 CA Winter Track and Field Championships.
Other Notable Performances
Jack Stadlman's 33.00 in the 300m, 2nd fastest in CA Winter Track and Field Championships history.
Freshman Jaelen Hunter runs 33.06 in the 300m to place 3rd.
Jillene Wetteland, Long Beach Poly TC, jumps 5'10 to win the girl's high jump.
Michael Cullen, Redlands TC, wins pole vault in 16'1.
Jaslene Massey, Aliso Niguel TC, throws 47'0 ¼ in to win the shot put.
Loyola Track Club win the boy's DMR in 10:27.48.
Christina Gray, Carson TC, wins 150m dash at 17.75.
Anne Elise Packard, JSerra TC, breaks the 600m meet record to win at 1:31.16.
Trajan Cephas, Norco TC, wins the 600m by six-thousandths of a second in a 1:20.98.