Although Californian athletes are just beginning their season, it's a great time to reflect on which middle school runners might return to make an impact this year. Below are 10 boys who had outstanding 2025 seasons and are returning as some of the top competitors in their events.
Sprints
Koda Nedley of Baird MS had an exceptional 2025, highlighted by an astonishing double performance at Nike Outdoor Nationals. He ran 51.19 in the 400m and 1:59.76 in the 800m to place third in both middle school championships. Nedley is a must-watch 8th grader this season, where the sky has become the limit in his final season before high school.
Josiah Nwosu will always be in the conversation after his remarkable season last year, when he ran 11.51 in the 100m, making him the top returning 100m runner. His wind-aided 23.75 is also the fastest returning time in the 200m dash.
Landon Geissman of Santa Margarita Elementary will be hard to beat this year after running 52.38 in the only track meet that he participated in last season. That time propelled him to victory and made him one of the top returners this season.
Kylen Villarreal of
Washington enters this season battle-tested after racing against some of the best 8th graders in the state. He returns as a top 200m runner with a personal record of 23.87
Distance
Samuel Radtke of Valley Elementary MS was outstanding last season, ranked among the best runners in the state and the country. Running 4:43 in the 1600m as a 7th grader was his biggest achievement, and he has already surpassed that this year. At The Mile @ Mesa, he ran 4:30.66 in the 1600m, setting a personal best by thirteen seconds at the start of the season.
Andrew Carr Jr competed right next to Radtke several times last season, especially in the longer distances. Last year, he ran personal records of 2:06 in the 800m, 4:17 in the 1500m, and an impressive 9:18 in the 3000m.
Field
Evan Lucero of Ethel Dwyer MS put up a 41-1 foot mark in the shot put last year to make him the top returner. It was his first and only time over 40 feet, demonstrating the great potential he has for this season.
Stephon King Jr. of Martin Murphy is one of the top long jumpers and triple jumpers, excelling in both events as a versatile athlete state. He jumped 19-6.25 in the long jump and 39-10.25 in the triple jump to put himself levels above as the top returner.
Romeo Ransom of Weed MS, jumped 37-5 in the triple jump, making him one of the top returners. His greatest achievements came from never losing a single triple jump or high jump competition.
Joshua Ochoa of Palo Verde Union Elementary leads the pole vault by a wide margin with a personal record of 8-3. He jumped this mark twice last season to help him stay undefeated for 2025.
Although Californian athletes are just beginning their season, it's a great time to reflect on which middle school runners might return to make an impact this year. Below are 10 boys who had outstanding 2025 seasons and are returning as some of the top competitors in their events.
Sprints
Koda Nedley of Baird MS had an exceptional 2025, highlighted by an astonishing double performance at Nike Outdoor Nationals. He ran 51.19 in the 400m and 1:59.76 in the 800m to place third in both middle school championships. Nedley is a must-watch 8th grader this season, where the sky has become the limit in his final season before high school.
Josiah Nwosu will always be in the conversation after his remarkable season last year, when he ran 11.51 in the 100m, making him the top returning 100m runner. His wind-aided 23.75 is also the fastest returning time in the 200m dash.
