Photo: MileSplit
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Earlier this month, teams across the East Coast tried to punch their tickets to next week's USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.
Here are eight of the top athletes from the USATF Region 2 and 3 Junior Olympics.
2026 USATF NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS - JULY 27-AUGUST 2
Schedule | Meet Information | Reference Guide
AMAREE WEST
Williamsville South (N.Y.)
Intermediate Men. (17-18)
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The University of Buffalo signee picked up a pair of top-two finishes earlier this month at the USATF Region 2 Championships in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The graduated senior clocked 10.80 in his 100m win and 22.29 in his 200m runner-up finish. He'll take his talents to the West Coast later this month in hopes of ending his high school career with some national hardware. 
CHRIS REYNOLDS
Marple Newton (Pa.)
Intermediate Men (17-18)
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Before he takes on his senior year, Reynolds left the penultimate meet of the year with a third-place finish in the 200m and a regional title in the 400m, running 23.18 and 50.49, respectively. These were two of his top performances of the year, and he's got a lot of momentum heading into this month's championships.
DASHAE COCHRAN
Winchester Thurston 07 (Pa.)
Intermediate Women (17-18)
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Not one, but two regional titles in her trip to Pennsylvania, as Cochran won both the 400m and long jump to punch her tickets to the 2026 USATF National Junior Olympics. She stopped the clock in the 400m at 57.36, and soared 18-6.75 to win the long jump. It'll be a battle, but she'll look to add a pair of national titles to her list of accolades next weekend.
TEAGHAN BRADY
Niagara-Wheatfield (N.Y.)
Intermediate Women (17-18)
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Brady was a force to be reckoned with a few weeks back, sweeping the titles in the 800m, 1500m, and 2000m steeplechase. Running 2:23.47 (PB), 5:05.21, and 8:01.89, she'll have a chance to leave California with quite a bit of hardware around her neck. She's been on a roll as of late, and what better place to continue that than one of the sport's biggest stages.
JEREMIAH DYER
Webster Schroeder (N.Y.)
Youth Men (15-16)
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After qualifying for last year's USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in the 100m and 200m, the incoming junior is heading back for the second year in a row. Dyer won the 100m and 200m in 11.17 and 22.25, and added a 50.16 runner-up finish in the 400m. With championship experience on his side, Dyer's goal this time around is to make it through to the final.
N'EVAEH JEAN-BAPTISTE
Plainfield Tsunami (N.J.)
Youth Women (15-16)
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A few weeks before starting her junior year, Jean-Baptiste will compete in the 400m at the 2026 USATF National Junior Olympics after running 58.97 to win a regional title. The speedster won both the prelim and the final in Pennsylvania, and also won the 400mH in 1:06.92 at the USATF New Jersey Association Junior Olympic Championships at the beginning of June.
AUSTIN SMITH
Charlotte Flights (N.C.)
Level
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At the USATF Region 3 Junior Olympic Championships, Smith won the 400m with a big PB of 47.11, becoming the 27th North Carolina athlete to ever run sub-47.15 in state history. A year ago, Smith finished sixth overall at the USATF National Junior Olympics, running 48.11, and enters next week's meet as one of the top returners. Smith was also a part of a championship-winning 4x100m (42.14) and a runner-up 4x400m (3:16.26).
Bullis School (Md.)
Intermediate (17-18)
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The long season has been in full swing since the first week of April, but the Bullis School star is nearing the end of her penultimate high school season. Competing in both the 100m and 200m, Joseph left with a pair of regional titles at the Region 3 Championships, running 12.02 and 24.08, respectively. Joseph didn't compete at the Junior Olympics as a sophomore, but her first trip to this meet could very well be a big one. She also helped her relay squad win the 4x100m and mixed 4x100m titles as well in 48.00 and 45.71.
Photo: MileSplit
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