Photo by: Jackson Polin
With it only being a few weeks away from the outdoor season kicking off, we wanted to put a few names out there for people to keep their eyes out for whenever they hit the track.
Carter Smith (Mifflin County 06) Sr. 800m: 1:48.66 Mile: 4:01.20
The senior has countless accolades to his name, and none may be bigger than last year's national title at NBNO in the mile. Smith has been dominant all year, and his reign on the distance running scene in PA and the nation doesn't look like it's going to come to an end anytime soon.
Josh Sharp (Upper Darby 01) Sr. 800m: 1:50.58 400m: 47.83
This season, Josh Sharp set the Pennsylvania all time state record in the 600 meter and placed third in the 800 at the state championship.
Abaas Hunter (Episcopal Academy) Sr. 200m: 20.95 400m: 47.21
After multiple podium finishes over the past two years, Abaas Hunter claimed the state title in the 200 meter dash as well as the 400 meter dash this indoor season. He is the favorite to win both titles in the outdoor state championship, as well.
Grayson Riggins (Upper Perkiomen) Sr. 60mH: 7.68 110mH: 14.20
Riggins claimed his first state title this indoor season in the 60m hurdles with the fourth fastest time in Pennsylvania history. Riggins will be contending the 110 hurdle state champion title in outdoor, and he is also the second best returner in the 200 meter from last year's outdoor season.
Ryan Fischer (Central Bucks East 01) Sr. SP: 62-11.00 Disc: 168-01.00
Ryan Fischer won the indoor state championship for shotput and bettered his personal best from outdoor by over 5 feet. In discus he is the third top returner in the state from 2025.
Luke Miller (North Schuylkill 11) Sr. 60m: 6.76 200m: 21.43
Luke Miller won the state championship in the 60 meter dash with the sixth fastest time in Pennsylvania history. In the 200 meter dash outdoor, he is the fourth fastest returner from last year.
Joseph Murphy (Hershey 03) Sr. 800m: 1:50.44 Mile: 4:14.75
This year's 800 field is no joke with Smith and Sharp, but Joseph Murphy finds himself as the top returner from last year's outdoor season at 1:50.44. He placed second this indoor season in the 800 only behind Smith.
Mackenzie Skelly (Penn Charter) Fr. 5k (CC): 16:44.70 2-Mile: 10:14.39
Mackenzie Skelly qualified for Nike Cross Nationals in her first season of high school cross country and placed third in the Virginia Showcase 2 mile during her first indoor track season. Skelly did not get a chance to compete at the state championship but has proven to be able to match up with the best runners in the state.
Kaddel Howard (Cedar Crest 03) Sr. 400m: 52.47 200m: 23.51
For the fourth consecutive Kaddel Howard has won the indoor 400 meter dash at the state championship. As well, she won the 200 meter dash at the indoor state championship for the second year in a row.
Julia Kelly (Downingtown West 01) So. 3000: 9:32.72 5k (CC): 16:54.40
Julia Kelly placed second in the 3000 at the indoor state championship but ran the fourth fastest 3000 in Pennsylvania history this season in 9:32. Kelly has some of the best sets of personal best from the mile to the 5k in Pennsylvania's history, but she has yet to win a state championship race.
Maddie Fuhrmeister (Central Bucks West 01) Jr. PV: 13-03.00 HJ: 5-00.00
Maddie Fuhrmeister won the indoor state championship for pole vault this season to no one's surprise. As only a junior, Fuhrmeister could reach the 14-foot mark before graduating which has only been done indoors once in Pennsylvania history.
Aydriane Bowden (Kennett 01) Jr. 60mH: 8.51 LJ: 20-01.50
Aydriane Bowden showed her capabilities at the indoor state championship where she took first in long jump, second in the 60 meter hurdles, and third in the 200 meter dash. Bowden's personal best in long jump is tied for the second best distance in Pennsylvania history for indoor track.
Ella Petrosky (JP McCaskey 03) So. 60m: 7.54 100m: 11.74
Ella Petrosky claimed two state titles at this year's 2026 indoor state championship in the 60 meter dash and the 4x200 meter relay. Petrosky placed second at last year's outdoor state championship in the 100 meter dash and seventh at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.
Photo by: Jackson Polin
With it only being a few weeks away from the outdoor season kicking off, we wanted to put a few names out there for people to keep their eyes out for whenever they hit the track.