Top 10 Arizona junior boys track athletes in 2026. Vote in our poll
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The 2026 high school track and field season has wrapped up with the completion of the AIA State Championships at Mesa Community College. There were breathtaking performances this year on the track and in the field, with state records and all-time efforts.
The 2027 class already features state record holders and there’s a season left for them to try to improve their efforts. Here are The Arizona Republic’s top 10 junior boys rankings from the 2026 season. Vote in our poll for the top overall junior. (Print readers can find the poll with this story online at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.)
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Top 10 junior boys track and field 2026 rankings
1. Yohanes van Meerten, Flagstaff, distance
The Oregon commit smashed the state record in the 3,200 meters following his record-breaking cross-country season, running 8:43.67 at the Arcadia Invitational. Won the AIA state title in the 3,200. Also ran 4:13.22 for the 1,600.
2. Kelson Hogan, Tempe Corona del Sol, throws
After missing the varsity cut for baseball, he quickly transitioned to track and field and put himself in the record books – breaking the official state record in the javelin with a throw of 214 feet, 8 inches.
3. Jett Merrill, Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge, jumps/hurdles/sprints
He was the AIA champion in the 110-meter hurdles and long jump and was the runner-up in the 100. Merrill finished with bests of 13.79 seconds in the 110 hurdles, 38.11 in the 300 hurdles (Division III state champion), 10.63 in the 100 and 23-9 in the long jump.
4. Crew Comish, Mesa Red Mountain, distance
The distance runner with the most range in his class. He ran 1:52.20 in the 800, 4:11.26 in the 1,600 (AIA state champion) and 9:12.70. Comish was the heartbeat of Red Mountain sweeping the team titles at the Division I and AIA Championships.
5. Dameon Brender, Mesa Red Mountain, sprints
After training with teammate Amare Holley, he burst onto the scene midseason and never looked back. He was the AIA state champion in both the 100 and 200. Ran 10.59 for the 100 and 21.40 for the 200.
6. Colin Duffy, Tempe Corona del Sol, throws
Led the state in the discus at 185-0, an almost 20-foot improvement from last season.
7. Magnas Rohde, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, jumps
He’s the only one in his class over 16 feet in the pole vault. Cleared 16-2 to finish third at the AIA Championships.
8. Reyden Stewart, Waddell ALA West Foothills, throws
Won the Division III state title in the shot put. Ended with a best of 57-10. Finished ranked No. 2 overall in the state.
9. Ryan Patterson-Lopez, Glendale Deer Valley, hurdles
He was the only one in his class to break 38 seconds in the 300 hurdles, running 37.88. AIA runner-up in the 300 hurdles.
10. Tahli Elamin, Chandler, jumps
Was consistent in the high jump this season, clearing at least 6 feet at every meet. Hit a personal best of 6-8 to finish second at the AIA Championships.
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Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for top 10 Arizona junior boys track and field athletes