The 2026 California Track and Field season is here, and the state's field boys are poised to deliver one of the most competitive years in recent memory.
Below, we highlight the top field event returners from the 2025 season and why they will shape the landscape of 2026.
Championship Experience
Athletes with State and National Level Experience
Joshua Harel (Notre Dame) // SR: HJ- 6-10, TJ- 45-8.5, LJ- 22-6.25
As the only reigning CIF State field event champion, Harel enters 2026 with the most valuable experience and momentum.
Devon Bertoli (Cardnial Newman) // SR- SP: 60-9.5 & D: 155-11
After finishing 5th in last year's CIF State shot put final, Bertoli enters the season top returner with his eyes set on qualifying for his third consecutive CIF State meet.
Tomek Gorzkowskii (Mira Costa) // SR: PV- 16-4
Finishing 3rd in last year's CIF State pole vault final helped Gorzkowski tie for the highest returning vaulter from last season.
-- Karysan Van Grouw in the CIF State Discus Finals // Photo by DeAnna Turner --
Karsyn Van Grouw (Buchanan) // SR: D- 187-3 & SP- 50-0
The top discus returner from the CIF State discus final is coming off a stellar junior season where he consistently found himself over 180 feet.
Jayden Goodman (Inderkum) // SR: HJ- 6-8
He nearly achieved perfection at last year's CIF State high jump final, and finishing as runner-up has provided Goodman with significant momentum for the 2026 season.
Kosi Iwvalla (Shasta) // SR- LJ: 23-10.75
Kayden Lewis-Burnley (Clovis) // SR- LJ: 24-8.75
As the highest returner from last year's CIF State triple jump final, Labuguen continues to prove that he shows up when it matters most.
Title Threats
Athletes who return with top-3 marks statewide or competed in last year's CIF State Final
Justin Wilshusen (Paso Robles) // SR: PV- 16-4
Dylan Yarbrough (San Dieguito Academy) // SR: PV- 16-2
As the reigning CIF San Diego Section Champion in the pole vault and the 3rd best returning mark in the state, there's no counting our Yarbrough in the big moments.
Riley Gash (Arroyo Grande) // SR: PV- 15-8 & LJ- 22-3
He enters the season as a top 5 returner, but he already beat that mark with a vault over 16 feet, making him a new threat to the pole vault throne.
Joshua Komrosky (Ayala) // SR- D: 178-4 & SP: 55-1.5
The only underclassman in last year's CIF State discus final finished 7th overall and appears to have the ambition to be a threat in any throwing event. He's returning as the 3rd-best discus returner and 16th-best shot put returner.
-- Joshua Komrosky throwing discus in the CIF State Final // Photo by DeAnna Turner --
Davis Benson (Moorpark) // SR- HJ: 6-10 & LJ: 22-9.5
Nathaniel Baca (Ayala) // SR- HJ: 6-10 & LJ: 22-0.5
Last year served as a breakthrough for Bacca when he won the CIF Southern Section D1 high jump title and finally qualified for the CIF State meet. He enters this season tied as the top returner and threat to the high jump crown.
Dean Guzman (Paso Robles) // SR: HJ- 6-7 , Hayden Brandow (San Luis Obispo) // SR: HJ- 6-6, Jaxson Silverstrom (San Joaquin Memorial) // SR: HJ- 6-6, Naryan Banerjee (Jesuit) // SR: HJ- 6-9
All four of these boys competed valiantly in the CIF State High Jump final, making them threats to an eventual loaded final this May.
Trey Joyce (Rocklin) // SR- TJ: 47-2 & LJ: 22-10.5
The top triple jump returner at 47-2 will be a threat in any triple jump competition this Spring.
Bo Ausmus (Redondo Union) // SR- SP: 60-5
He may have missed the CIF State meet, but Ausmus enters the season as the shot put's 2nd-best returner.
Young Vets
Freshmen who may be entering their super sophomore season
Cooper Haydock (Clovis North) // SR- SP: 55-10 & D: 151-0
Last season, Haydock proved he had the talent to compete with the best, and being a year older may help him qualify for the biggest stage.
Emmanuel Pullins (Notre Dame- Sherman Oaks) // SR- LJ: 22-11 & TJ: 44-9.5
The top freshman long and triple jumper from last season will be almost qualified for the CIF State meet and is on a trajectory to be better this year.
Kingston Khoury (Fallbrook) // SR- PV: 14-6
As a freshman, Khoury consistently vaulted over 14 feet and continued to improve, starting the 2026 Winter season with a 14-9 vault at the CA Winter Championships.
Charles Fugit (Los Gatos) // SR- D: 163-1 & SP: 48-10.75
Last season's top freshman discus thrower has all the talent to be in the CIF State discus final this year.
Kasen Gragg (Redlands) // SR- HJ: 6-4.75 & Teague Jasper (Healdsburg) // SR- HJ: 6-4.75
After the CIF season, both Gragg and Jasper found themselves well over the 6-foot mark, and they're looking to use that as momentum to have a better sophomore season.
All-Around All-Stars
Expect these athletes to continue showing off their amazing talents across multiple events
Drew Harisay (Etiwanda) // SR- SP: 60-1 & D: 175-8
He can throw anything! Last year, he qualified for both throwing events, and with his consistency, an even bigger breakthrough may be on the horizon.
Mekhi Oluwa (Mater Dei Catholic) // SR- LJ: 23-11.25 & TJ: 45-7
The reigning CIF San Diego Section long champ is the top 3 returner in the state. He's also the 14th-best returner in the triple jump.
Ryan Shen (Monte Vista) // SR- HJ: 6-6, LJ: 23-7.75, TJ: 45-0.25
The reigning CIF Central Coast Section high jump and long jump champion is also a top 10 returner in both events.
Andres Arguello (Central East Campus) // SR- 59-6.5 & D- 163-2
Last year, he proved he could qualify for the CIF State meet in the shot put, and as the 16th-best returner in the discus, he could make it in both this season.