Browne Sisters Run to Three All-American Honors
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.
Thirty-six (36) athletes from Colorado competed in 56 events, earning six (6) All-American honors.
The state's highest finishes came from Sydney Browne (Angel Flight Track), who placed fourth in the girls 13–14 800m in 2:19.51, and Lauren Sankoff (Drift Motion Pole Vault), who earned fourth place in the girls 17–18 pole vault competition after clearing 3.48 meters.
Colorado added a fifth-place finishe as Peyton Browne (Elevated Distance Training) ran 5:49.54 to place fifth in the girls 7–8 1500m before returning to finish 18th in the 800m.
In the hurdles, Landen Frison (Unattached) earned seventh place in the boys 17–18 110m hurdles with a time of 14.39 after also placing 10th in the 400m hurdles. Jordyn Browne (Elevated Distance Training) captured eighth place in the girls 7–8 1500m and added a 29th-place finish in the 800m. Colorado's final All-American honor came from Caden Vinson (Colorado United TC), who placed eighth in the boys 17–18 long jump with a leap of 7.03 meters.
The Browne sisters enjoyed an especially memorable week in Southern California. Sydney Browne, Peyton Browne, and Jordyn Browne combined to earn three All-American honors across two age divisions. Sydney finished fourth in the girls 13–14 800m, Peyton placed fifth in the girls 7–8 1500m, and Jordyn earned eighth place in the girls 7–8 1500m, making the Brownes one of the most successful families at this year's championships.
Several additional Colorado athletes narrowly missed earning All-American honors. Kelsey Black (Unattached) finished 10th in the girls 13–14 pentathlon, Casey Snyder (Unattached) placed 11th in the boys 13–14 3000m, and Teleia Perry (Colorado United TC) finished 11th in the girls 17–18 high jump after also placing 14th in the 100m hurdles.
Other notable performances included Jayden Leonard (Colorado United TC), who finished 12th in the boys 15–16 long jump and 49th in the 100m, Lia Senese (Steadfast Track Academy), who placed 13th in the girls 11–12 3000m, and Lamilea Gipson (Unattached), who earned 16th-place finishes in both the girls 13–14 800m and 1500m.
The performances of athletes representing Alpha and Omega Athletics, Angel Flight Track, Blazers TC, Brute Force TC, Colorado United TC, Cutthroat T&F Club, Drift Motion Pole Vault, Elevated Distance Training, RYFT TC, Steadfast Track Academy, The Sharks, Trojan TC highlighted the continued growth of youth track and field throughout the Centennial State.