Saturday's California Winter Track and Field Championships feature elite talent from start to finish. From record-threatening sprint races to loaded middle-distance fields and the debut of a new event, all signs point to a meet full of fireworks at Arcadia High School.
The 60m & Long Jump Double is in Play
As much as Saturday is a Championship for many, it also serves as a test for what lies ahead this Spring. Ellie McCuskey-Hay took full advantage of the Winter Championships last year by competing in the 60m, 150m, 300m, and long jump.
She must be looking to complete the 60m and long jump double this year, after winning the 60m and finishing runner-up in the long jump last year.
2026's Winter Championships proved to be a strong test for the University of Oregon commit, as she competed in the 100m, 200m, and long jump triple at the CIF State Championships.
She may lead all long jump qualifiers with an 18-11 leap, but the 60m presents as an uphill battle. Her hardest competition will come from Rosary Academy's Justine Wilson, Maliyah Collins, and Tra'Via Flournoy, who've already run under 7.60 this year.
-- Jaslene Massey competing in the Shot Put at the CIF State Championships --
State Champions Set the Standard
Defending Shot Put Winter Champion and Reigning Discus State Champion, Jaslene Massey, will get everything started in the shot put ring on Saturday.
Last year, she threw 47-0.25 to dominate the field, and she's now entering the competition with a 48-03 foot throw in qualifying. The shot put ring at Arcadia High School has been kind to Massey over the years, so expect a show from the University of Oregon commit.
This won't be an easy victory because super sophomore
Sidney Johnson is also in the field. Johnson made it to the CIF State Championship finals in the shot put and will force Massey to throw her best on Saturday.
Get Your Popcorn Ready for the 300m
Similar to the boys' events, the 300m dash may prove to be the most exciting race of the day. Thirteen girls have run under 40 seconds in qualifying, including the defending champion, Rayah Rodriguez.
Then the addition of newcomers, Aria Pearce and Clara Adams, only adds to the intrigue.
Pearce has been a dominant force in Kansas for her first two years of high school, but now she enters the CA Winter Champs as the top qualifier at 38.41. Adams was a top 200m runner from the Central Coast last year and enters as the second-fastest runner at 38.64.
Everyone will have a chance to win this Saturday, and, as with the boys, it may come down to who has the freshest legs.
-- Aria Pearce winning the RunningLane 400m National Championships in 54.90 --
CA Distance Magic on Display
Since the start of the New Year, Jaelyn Williams and Braelyn Combe have produced distance magic across the East Coast for California at the biggest indoor meets. Both set U.S. No.1 marks, and Williams ran an all-time top ten mark in the 3000m.
Can we get similar results on the West Coast?
The girls' 1500m is set to be special with seven girls who ran under 4:50 during qualifying.
Aelo Curtis is the favorite, having qualified for Nike Cross Nationals as an individual and set a 4:28 1500m PR last season. Isabella Wroblewski will be seeking redemption after finishing runner-up last season with a PR of 4:39.
The 600m will surely grab your attention as five girls who run 1:34 or faster line up on Saturday. Azra Gercek will be in search of her first victory after finishing runner-up as a freshman last season.
Lastly, the 3000m will give younger talent, such as Kamilah Salim and Ellison Williams, a chance to take center stage. Salim leads all qualifiers at 9:53, while sophomore Williams has the second qualifying time at 10:19.
Additionally, freshmen Sabina Cruz and Eliana Huerta have proven their ability throughout a strong cross country season, ensuring they will be in the mix. Senior Reese Tamburro will look to improve on her time and contend for a podium finish.
MileSplit will be on the ground covering all the action with photos, interviews, and social media coverage. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
