Coloradans earn seven all-American honors
Under the hot southern skies of Savannah, Georgia, the 2025 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships brought together 7,779 of the country’s best youth athletes from all 50 states. Among them, 33 athletes from USATF Niagara stepped onto the national stage to represent their clubs, their region, and themselves with pride.
Their performances told a story of both excellence and promise, highlighted by seven athletes earning All-American honors — a recognition awarded to the top eight finishers in each event. These standout athletes etched their names among the nation’s elite, proving that the future of track & field in Niagara is bright.
Maximilian Mancabelli (Mac Track and Pole Vault Club) 2nd – Decathlon, Boys 15–16 – 5733 points Mancabelli's silver-medal finish in the grueling 10-event decathlon capped a season of versatility and endurance. His balanced scoring across disciplines placed him firmly on the podium and among the nation's top multis athletes.
Charles Rohde (Unattached) 4th – Discus Throw, Boys 13–14 – 50.69m Rohde delivered one of his strongest throws of the season when it mattered most, earning a fourth-place national finish in one of the championship’s deepest field events.
Ilianna Surowiec (Speed University TFC) 4th – 2000m Steeplechase, Girls 17–18 – 8:11.81 Navigating barriers and water jumps with control and grit, Surowiec secured her All-American honors in a tactical and fast steeplechase final.
Cailyn Cole (Unattached) 6th – 400m Hurdles, Girls 15–16 – 1:05.22 Blending sprint speed with technical rhythm, Cole cleared every hurdle and crossed the finish in a personal-best performance to earn her first All-American distinction.
Kendra Cook (Tribe Athletics) 6th – Heptathlon, Girls 15–16 – 3850 points Cook’s consistency across seven events, from the 100m hurdles to the 800m, placed her among the nation’s top heptathletes and marked a major breakthrough on the national stage.
Kaleigha Kosek (Tribe Athletics) 7th – High Jump, Girls 17–18 – 1.65m Kosek soared to a season-best clearance and held her own in a strong field to capture seventh and All-American status in the high jump.
Michael Ciripompa (Unattached) 8th – 2000m Steeplechase, Boys 17–18 – 6:43.08 In his second national steeplechase appearance, Ciripompa closed hard over the final lap to secure a top-8 finish, highlighting his growth and endurance in a tough event.
In addition to the All-Americans, several other athletes from USATF Niagara earned top-20 national finishes, including:
Isabella DeGolier (Chautauqua Striders) – 13th, High Jump (Girls 15–16)
Elorna Barnett (Chautauqua Striders) – 16th, 2000m Steeplechase (Girls 15–16)
Matthew Karol (Ridge Runners TXC) – 17th, High Jump (Boys 15–16)
Madyson Storey (Speed University TFC) – 18th, High Jump (Girls 17–18)
Maurice Perry (Speed University TFC) – 20th, High Jump (Boys 15–16)
These finishes — just outside All-American recognition — reflect the strength and promise of the Niagara contingent across multiple disciplines.