The 2026 California Track and Field season is here, and the state's distance runners are poised to deliver one of the most competitive years in recent memory.
Below, we highlight the top distance returners from the 2025 season and explain why they will shape the landscape in 2026 in three words.
Reigning State Champs & Top Returners
Athletes with State and National Level Experience
Wyland Obando (Long Beach Wilson) // SR: 800m- 1:50.45
CHAMPION. CLUTCH. EXPLOSIVE.
At last year's CIF State Track and Field Championships, Wyland Obando narrowly won the 800m by just eight-tenths of a second. As the event attracts many returners from the CIF State Final, Obando starts the season with the most momentum.
Conor Lott (Clovis North) // SR: 800m- 1:52.97, 1600m- 4:03.32, 3200m- 8:57.98
CHAMPIONSHIP-PERFORMER. TACTICIAN. TRIPLE-THREAT.
Following his decisive victory in the CIF State 1600m final, Conor Lott has had a remarkable cross country season, highlighted by winning back-to-back Division 1 CIF State XC titles and finishing in the top ten at Brooks XC.
Josiah Bowman (Sage Creek) // SR: 800m- 1:50.39 & 1600m- 4:08.75
PROVEN. DETERMINED. WICKED-KICK.
In 2025, Bowamn ran the fastest 800m for a Californian at 1;50.39 and he won the Division 4 CIF State XC title. The only thing missing from a remarkable year was the CIF State 800m championship, which he could contend for again this year.
Isaac Abbott (Jesuit) // SR: 3200m- 8:57.47 & 1600m- 4:12.47
UNFINISHED. SUB-9. COMPETITOR.
At the Dublin Distance Fiesta, Isaac Abbot ran the fastest 3200m time for all returners, putting him in prime position as a contender for the CIF State Championship.
-- Conor Lott is on his way to win the CIF State 1600m final | Photo by DeAnna Turner --
Championship Experience
Athletes who gained valuable state final and national-level experience last season
Lucas Alberts (Jesuit) // SR: 800m- 1:51.27 & 4:11.87
RUNNER-UP. STOCK-RISING. ELITE.
Maximo Zavaleta (ML King) // SR: 3200m- 8:57.63, 1600m- 4:07.15, 800m- 1:55.81
TRIPLE-THREAT. NATIONALLY-RANKED. WINNER.
Aidan Antonio (Woodbridge) // SR: 1600m- 4:06.94, 3200m- 9:05.59, 800m- 1:56.04
UPPER-ECHELON. CONSISTENT. PEAK-PERFORMER
Alden Morales (JSerra) // SR: 800m- 1:50.79 & 1600m- 4:16.55
PODIUMS. ON-PRECIPICE. UNDENIABLE.
Hugh Heyer (McClatchy) // SR: 800m- 1:51.47, 1600m- 4:19.69, 3200m- 9:24.40
SURGING. DON'T-SLEEP. POISED.
Noel Huato (Del Oro) // SR: 3200m- 8:57.90, 1600m- 4:09.13, 800m- 1:55.09
GRITTY. CHAMPIONSHIP-TESTED. ASCENDING.
Young Vets
Freshmen who may be entering their super sophomore season
Mario Montoya (Redondo Union) // SR: 1600m- 4:16.38 & 3200m- 9:21.92
RANGE. DANGEROUS. XC-PROVEN.
Elias Thronson (Davis) // SR: 1600m- 4:17.94 & 3200m- 9:08.07
BREAKOUT. PROMISING. WATCHLIST.
-- Cameron Yarbrough winning the 1600m at the 44th Sundevil Invite | Photo by Gabe Stamat --
All-Around All-Stars
Expect these athletes to continue showing off their amazing talents across multiple events
Cameron Yarbrough (Del Norte) // SR: 1600m- 4:10.95 & 800m- 1:53.94
SD-CHAMP. FEARLESS. EMERGING.
Oliver Hunter (Dana Hills) // SR: 3200m- 9:00.58 & 1600m- 4:11.60
DOUBLE-THREAT. DON'T-SLEEP. XC-CHAMP.
Blake Sigworth (Plaos Verdes) // SR- 800m- 1:54.22, 1600m- 4:11.05, 3200m- 9:16.97
MULTIFACTED. SMOOTH. COMPETITIVE.
Connor Bilodeau (Jesuit) // SR- 1600m- 4:11.92, 3200m- 9:08.13, 800m- 1:56.35
COMPLETE. WATCHLIST. PASSIONATE.
Breakthrough Candidates
These athletes missed the CIF State Track and Field Championships last year
Michael Ortega (Ontario) // SR: 3200m- 9:11.96
XC-PROVEN. PEAK-PERFORMER. ASCENDING.
Braulio Castillo (West Ranch) // SR: 3200m- 9:09.99
NATIONAL-QUALIFIER. XC-PROVEN. TALENTED.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (The Nueva School) // SR: 3200m- 9:04.87 & 1600m: 4:18.28
COMPETITOR. XC-PROVEN. RELENTLESS