-- Chase Young finishing 3rd at the Redondo Nike Invitational in March 2026 --
Meet records that stood for over 20 years fell at the 2026 Sacramento Meet of Champions, indicating new faces primed to set California on fire this postseason.
At this year's Sacramento Champions, state champions and top athletes in the nation competed at American River College for the final track invitational before heading into May, where they can qualify for their state meet. Those stakes were realized by many, including Josie Hill of Sonoma Academy and Chase Young of De La Salle, who broke historic meet records.
The De La Salle boys set the tone early in the 4x100m invite by breaking their own inviational record set back in 2024 with a blistering 40.69. The team of Duece Jones-Drew, Damari Dean, Dylan Rogers, and Emery Speight delivered smooth handoffs around the oval to execute a near-perfect race.
After Saturday, the Spartans are the eighth team in California this year to run under 41 seconds and are currently tied for 3rd in CA this season. The highlight moments continued for De Le Salle about 30 minutes afterward when the boys' 110m hurdles invite lined up on the track.
The 110m hurdles invitational was a featured event at SMOC this year. Jasir Fontenot, the reigning CIF State Champion, was set to face Chase Young, who has emerged as a rising star in the short hurdles. Both entered the race with top-10 times in California this season, making it a must-see matchup.
Young bolted to the early lead as they approached the first hurdle while Fontenot closely followed to set up the usual second-half comeback that won him the CIF State title. However, this time, Fontenot couldn't make up for that early deficit despite running a clean race.
-- Watch Chase Young break the 110m Hurdles meet record at SMOC --
Young clocked 13.67 to secure the victory and break the meet record of 13.69 set back in 2006 by David Kelch. This record-breaking performance launched Young to CA #1 and U.S. #8. Fonteont finished second in a season's best time of 13.77, which is an upside for the state champ who started off the season with a fractured ankle in February.
Records also fell on the girls' side, where dominance was on full display by junior Josie Hill in the 800m invitational. After a 61-second first lap and a 20-meter lead, the only question was how fast the U.S. #6 runner would run. Hill closed in 65 seconds to run 2:07.34 and win the 800m by four seconds over sophomore Ava Padilla.
Josie Hill's heroic run broke a 19-year-old meet record of 2:07.84 set by Alex Kosinski from Oak Ridge. This continues an amazing season for Hill, who's entering May as a top contender for the CIF State 800m title. Last season, she ran 2:11 to finish 11th in the CIF State 800m Championship.
-- Watch Josie Hill break the 800m meet record at SMOC --
Off the track, Kayden Hulet from Debbie Smith (NV) defended his discus title from last season and destroyed the meet record of 193-3 set in 2004. After joining the 200-foot club with a 209-1 throw last week, Hulet arrived at SMOC as the U.S. #4-ranked with a target on his back.
On his first throw of the competition, Hulet fired a 190-1 throw to make a statement as a national-caliber talent. Then, on his fourth attempt, he launched the discus 196-10 feet to break the meet record and cement himself in SMOC history. The senior from Nevada will surely be one to watch this summer when he reaches the national stage again.
At the end of the Sacramento Meet of Champions, athletes secured their place on the watchlist for high schools in their respective states, preparing for championship season. This weekend ultimately proved to athletes that they need to fine-tune a few things or that they're ready for the bright lights of May.
Other Notable Performances
Sidney Johnson (Rio Americano, 10th) sweeps the shot put and discus invitational. Her 153-4 throw in the discus ranks her CA #2.
Kiefer Willcox (Tahoe Truckee, 12th) clocks 4:07.94 to dominate the boys' 1600m to secure the NV lead.
Mya Johnson (Lincoln, 10th) and Lael Brown (Christian Brothers, 10th) battle to earn top sophomore 400m times in the nation, 54.88 and 55.36.
Alejandro Mejia-Hidalgo (Beyer, 11th) clocked 1:53.3 to win a dramatic 800m invitational after running 4:11.87 in the 1600m invitational.
Skyler Collenberg (Arcata, 12th) threw 61-5.5 to win the boys' shot put invitational.
Sophia Forst (Pleasant Grove, 12th) flew over 13-1 in the pole vault to take the California lead this season.
Deshawn Seymour Jr (Will C. Wood, 12th) ran 21.26 into a -1.2 headwind to secure the 200m invitational.
Essence Anderson-Brown (James Logan, 12th) clocked 11.70 to repeat as the SMOC 100m champion.
