The 2026 CA Winter Championships delivered record-breaking performances, breakout stars, and early-season statements across all event groups. From dominant sprint doubles to elite distance marks and historic field performances, Saturday's meet set the tone for the California outdoor season.
Ejam Yohannes and Loyola are the Truth
At the Winter Championships, a track star from Loyola High School may have emerged and will be a threat in several events. Ejam Yohannes won the 600m championship and helped the Loyola boys break meet records in the 4x200m and Sprint Medley relays.
Yohannes made the national radar after his phenomenal 33-second 300m and 1:17 600m at a Winter Qualifier in December. He brought that same ambition to the Championships on Saturday, competing and winning three events.
First, he outlasted the Long Beach Wilson duo of Wyland Obando and Kayden Burroughs in the 600m dash. Yohannes clocked 1:18.54 to secure the 600m victory, followed by Obando in second at 1:18.67 and Burroughs in third at 1:18.85.
Then he anchored the Loyola boys' relay squads that ran 1:25.23 in the 4x200m to shatter the meet record and 1:30.65 in the 800m Sprint Medley, also breaking the meet record.
Yohannes' individual and relay performances demonstrate a renewed Loyola sprint squad that should be considered a factor as relay season approaches.
Field Event Stars Rewrite the Record Book
While the track produced impressive performances, the field events may have produced the most memorable performances of the meet
First, Jaslene Massey threw 52-10.25 to break her own meet record and set a personal record in the shot put. Last year showed she is a top shot putter in the nation, and there's no slowing down in 2026.
Then we witnessed the best high jump mark in California Winter Championships history, but it wasn't in the high jump competition. En route to winning the Winter Championships pentathlon, Davis Benson soared over 6-8.25 feet to break the high jump meet record.
Benson is the top returning jumper from last season and is showing it. What made this effort even sweeter was that he also broke the pentathlon meet record with a total of 3,646 points.
Justin Wilshusen capped off the field events with a CIF State-finals caliber vault of 16-6, breaking the Winter Championships pole vault record. After clearing 16-4 to finish fourth at state last year, he's already opening 2026 beyond that mark.
Keep an eye on these field event stars who are setting elite marks in February.
Quran Clayton is a Problem
-- Quran Clayton winning the 60m hurdles in record time ---
Nobody makes me nervous. I'm overconfident!
Quran Clayton's comments after his incredible victories in the 60m hurdles and 60m dash perfectly encapsulate how he performed at the California Winter Track & Field Championships. When all the pressure was on his shoulders to complete the double, he executed it to perfection.
First in the 60m hurdle prelims, he ran 7.88 to break the meet record, and in the finals, he dominated again to secure the crown. In the 60m dash, he lined up against multiple CIF State qualifiers but ran the fastest time in the prelims and finals, taking the championship.
The Winter Championships proved Clayton is ready for the big stage in the 100m and 100m hurdles when the outdoor season starts. Also, don't sleep on the Oak Hills 4x100m relay team, which qualified for the CIF State meet last year and finished second in the 4x200m relay on Saturday.
CA Distance Magic Continues
The 2026 season continues to be a special one for California distance runners, with elite performances on display in the 1500m.
Aelo Curtis set the tone after taking control of the race in the opening 500m, and she instantly created a gap on the field. She shifted gears late and ran 4:25.25, shattering the meet record by four seconds.
After the race, Curtis shared her ambition to make the World U20 team in Oregon this summer and chase a top-10 all-time mile performance.
The boys' 1500m race was intense, propelling three boys to run under the previous meet record. Jace Deledonne secured the victory in 3:52.56, followed by Micah Dickran (3:53.11) and Henry Hauser (3:53.75).
Rosary's Big 3 Makes an Early Statement
-- Rosary's big three: Justine Wilson (left), Maliyah Collins (middle), and Tra'Via Flournoy (right)
On Saturday, Rosary's 3-headed monster reemerged for the first time this season and proved to be unstoppable. Maliyah Collins, Justine Wilson, and Tra'Via Flournoy swept the 60m and 150m races.
Their dominance was foreshadowed in January, when they ran California's top three times in the 60m at the Texas Tech Wes Kittley Invitational. At the CA Winter Championships, they proved they can deliver when it matters most.
Sophomore Maliyah Collins stood out amongst the three by winning both championship races. She surprised herself with a 7.38 victory in the 60m and followed it up with another win in the 150m at 17.59.
After a strong 2025 season, Rosary Academy looks poised for an even bigger year in 2026.
The California Winter Championships mark the start of several big meets this season. Check out the meet page to see the interviews, photos, and results as they are uploaded.
