Photo: Jorge Espinosa/MileSplit Illinois
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For a lot of you, it may feel like it's impossible for it to already be time for the indoor track and field season, and that's fair.
Over the last four and a half months, all of the attention has been focused on the distance runners while sprinters, jumpers, and throwers have been preparing for their upcoming seasons.
Well, the cross country season is officially in the rear-view mirror, and the indoor circuit is already underway, and one of the biggest meets on deck is the annual CYUP Misfits Invite.
Over the years, the meet has continued to grow and attract talent from around the country, becoming a staple of the high school indoor schedule.
Although entries are still open until 11:00 p.m. CST on January 9, the fields are already loaded with talent from top to bottom, and are sure to only get deeper over the next few weeks.
If you want to book your spot at one of the top indoor meets in the country, there's no better time than now. Register for the 2026 CYUP Misfits Invite before registration closes.
In the meantime, here are six of the dozens of talented athletes already set to compete in Chicago next month. 
CALEB WINDERS
Bloomington North (Ind.)
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After the best cross country campaign of his prep career, Winders is heading into the indoor circuit with even more strength than he did a year ago. After finishing 20th at the IHSAA State Championships and notching a 5k PB of 15:21 the week prior, the CYUP Misfits defending 600m champion is back for more. This time, he's slated to tackle the mid-distance triple, adding the 1k and Mile to his schedule. After running 1:46.85 at New Balance Nationals Outdoor this year in the 800m, there's a solid chance his 2026 debut is sub-1:50.
SUNDARA WEBER
Sandwich (Ill.)
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Coming off a stellar senior year on the grass, Weber is looking to keep the momentum rolling now that attention is on the indoor oval. The five-time IHSA 1A state champion is looking to make a statement in the first month of the new year, opting for the Mile and 2-Mile double this time around. As a junior, Weber finished runner-up in 10:18.23 at this meet, and went on to run 9:59.16 (3200) a few months later in May. Entries are still open for the time being, but the Illinois product is eyeing the sweep in the "Windy City."
GABRIEL OLSON
Oak Creek (Wisc.)
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While most of the nation's track stars have yet to open up their season, the Wisconsin product wasted no time getting down to business. At the Gately Park Open, Olson finished third in the 300m, crossing in 35.11, which was over half a second quicker than what he ran at the same meet a year ago. Coming off a junior outdoor campaign that saw him establish lifetime bests of 10.52, 21.60, and 47.88 in the 100, 200m, and 400m, the senior is stepping up to the 600m in Chicago, where he holds a PB of 1:23.42 from last year's CYUP Misfits Invite.
South Shore International College Prep (Ill.)
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Just like Olson, Hamb already made her indoor debut at the Gately Park Open, where she finished first and second in the 60mH and the long jump, and ninth in the 60m. Her winning time of 8.63 over the hurdles marked the first time she had ever broken 8.70, and also makes her the No. 2 fastest girl in the nation so far this season. Next month, she'll run the 60mH again, but this time opt for the triple jump instead of the long. The University of Wisconsin commit jumped 40-0.25 last outdoor season, but owns a PB of 41-5.75 from 2024.
JADEN MERRICK
Cedar Falls (Iowa)
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The future Iowa State Cyclone wrapped up his high school cross country career with an 18th-place finish at the Brooks XC Championships and added a state title to his resume, along with an SB of 14:50. Merrick is focusing solely on the 2-Mile for the second consecutive year, after finishing 12th in 9:44.89 11 months ago. With PBs of 4:14 and 9:02 in the 1600m and 3200m, Merrick could help take this field under 9:00 if the stars align and competition comes ready to race.
MALIA RAINEY
Calabasas (Calif.)
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Out on the West Coast, Rainey has been making a name for herself amongst California's elite sprinters. At the CIF State Track & Field Championships in May, she notched a pair of sixth-place finishes in the 100m and 200m, lowering her PBs to 11.57 and 23.88. At the 2026 CYUP Misfits Invite, she's taking on the 60m/300m double, where she's entered at 7.65 and 41.84, and is someone to watch in both events come next month.