The 2026 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships concluded Sunday after seven days of competition at Falcon Stadium on the campus of Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. More than 6,308 athletes from all 50 states competed in the nation's premier youth track and field event.
Athletes representing the Niagara Association once again demonstrated the region's depth and talent, earning three All-American honors while competing against the nation's best. Competitors from throughout western New York delivered strong performances in the sprints, hurdles, distance races, jumps, throws, and pole vault.
Niagara's highest finish came from Madelyn Dallas (Mac Track and Pole Vault Club), who cleared 3.00 meters to place fourth in the girls 13–14 pole vault competition.
The association added a pair of fifth-place finishes as Jeremiah Dyer (Flower City TC) ran 21.71 to earn All-American honors in the boys 15–16 200m and Maisy Bates (Unattached) finished fifth in the girls 15–16 2000m steeplechase in 7:43.56.
Several of Niagara's top performers successfully balanced demanding schedules. Jeremiah Dyer returned to place 21st in the 100m and 29th in the 400m, while Flynn Fadale (Chautauqua Striders) competed in the boys 15–16 1500m, 2000m steeplechase, and 3000m. His older brother, Finnegan Fadale (Chautauqua Striders), contested the boys 17–18 800m, 1500m, and 3000m.
Several additional athletes narrowly missed All-American honors. Matthew Karol (Ridge Runners TXC) placed ninth in the boys 15–16 110m hurdles before adding a 12th-place finish in the high jump, while Finnegan Fadale (Chautauqua Striders) finished 10th in the boys 17–18 3000m. Mason Strefeler (Unattached) placed 13th in the boys 15–16 shot put, and Cailyn Cole (Speed University TFC) finished 15th in the girls 17–18 400m before adding a 24th-place finish in the long jump.
Several additional athletes turned in notable performances during the week. Miguel Brito (Unattached) placed 36th in the boys 17–18 400m hurdles, Hannah Kocsis (Tribe Athletics) finished 35th in the girls 17–18 triple jump and 42nd in the long jump, Quinn Davidzik (Tribe Athletics) placed 39th in the girls 15–16 triple jump, Roxy Viscuso (Snyder TC) finished 37th in the girls 9–10 200m and 44th in the 100m, Amira Stephens (Flower City TC) placed 43rd in the girls 15–16 200m, Noah Schug (Snyder TC) finished 30th in the boys 13–14 discus, and Tate Wolfe (Unattached) placed 51st in the boys 13–14 800m.
Athletes representing Mac Track and Pole Vault Club, Flower City TC, Chautauqua Striders, Ridge Runners TXC, Speed University TFC, Snyder TC, TRACK 585, Tribe Athletics, and numerous unattached competitors highlighted the continued strength of youth track and field throughout the Niagara Association.