Connecticut Outdoor Track & Field: Future Stars
With the 2026 outdoor season approaching, several underclassmen have already established themselves as athletes to watch across Connecticut. Looking back at the top outdoor performances from 2025 alongside strong indoor results this winter provides a glimpse at which freshmen and sophomores could make a significant impact this spring.
Below is a look at some of the top returning performers in the classes of 2028 and 2029 across event groups.
Sophomore Sprinters Lead a Deep Group of Underclass Speed
The boys sprint events are led by a strong sophomore group that already produced several elite times last outdoor season. Rodney Crockett (Middletown) leads all returning underclassmen after running 10.94 in the 100m last spring. Jamaul Padilla (East Catholic) and Cameron Marinaro (New Milford) both followed closely with 11.34, while Reinaldo Soto (Bristol Central) also returns after running 11.37.
In the 200m, Ian Mitchell (Montville) posted one of the most impressive marks of the group with a 21.24, while Crockett also doubled back with a 23.14. Athletes like Kaden Clark (Farmington) and Yancel Echevarria (Waterford) also broke into the low-23 range.
Among the younger athletes, Kaiser Ilker (Greenwich) leads the freshman class after running 11.58 in the 100m and 23.64 in the 200m last season. Matthew Woodward (Rockville) also showed versatility with marks of 11.75 and 24.02.
The indoor season has already provided another glimpse of that speed translating to 2026 competition. Sophomore Crockett posted a 6.39 in the 55m this winter, one of the fastest marks in the state, while Clark also showed strong early-season form with a 36.07 in the 300m.
On the girls side, Kyra Mclean (Stratford) stands out after running 12.09 in the 100m and 24.76 in the 200m last outdoor season. She is followed by D'yona Sumler (Hillhouse) and Cynthia Singleton (Naugatuck), who both ran 12.4 range performances.
The freshman girls sprint group is led by Keyaira Brown (Platt), who posted 13.64 in the 100m and 28.04 in the 200m.
Distance Events Feature Several Underclassmen with State Contention
Distance events feature one of the strongest returning underclass groups in the state, particularly among the boys sophomores.
Nolan O'Connor (Xavier) leads the way after running 4:27.83 for 1600m, 9:38.30 for 3200m, and 10:23.72 for two miles last season. Teammate Jackson Gould (Xavier) also ran 4:32.25 for 1600m and 1:59.16 for 800m, giving Xavier a strong young presence.
Other returning distance standouts include Holden Hines (Xavier) at 9:48.93 for 3200m, Ethan Murphy (Simsbury) at 4:33.51 for 1600m, and Cooper Tomaszewski (Amity) who ran 4:34.88 for the mile.
The freshman boys group is highlighted by Matthew Woodward (Rockville), who ran 1:58.97 for 800m and 4:43.54 for 1600m last outdoor season.
On the girls side, the sophomore class also features several state-level distance athletes. Lauren Parrett (Glastonbury) ran 4:55.89 for 1600m and 10:46.19 for 3200m, while Sophie Passalacqua (Greenwich) and Cora Wasiolek (Mercy) also posted strong times in the low 5-minute range for 1600m.
During the indoor season, that same group continued to produce strong results, with Parrett winning the State Open 3200m in 10:40.36 and Passalacqua finishing second.
In the 800m, Oriana Pescatello (Norwich Free Academy) leads returning underclass athletes with a 2:17.16 performance.
Hurdle Events Could See New Contenders Emerging this Spring
The boys hurdles events are led by Yallop Bodie (Brien McMahon), who ran 16.04 in the 110m hurdles and 42.77 in the 300m hurdles last outdoor season. Zeki Duman (Shepaug Valley) also returns after running 16.20 and 43.39 in those events.
For the girls, Kayla Berning (Canton) and Juliana Holmes (Hillhouse) lead the 100m hurdles group after running 15.79 and 16.02, respectively. Greysen Thomas (Litchfield) also returns as a multi-event threat after finishing among the leaders in both hurdles and high jump.
Strong Jumps Highlight Versatile Underclass Athletes
The boys horizontal jumps feature several strong returning sophomores. Akelle Graham (Warren Harding) leads the long jump group after reaching 21-1.5, while Justin Cook (Seymour) also cleared 21 feet.
In the triple jump, Luke Haslam (Cromwell) posted a top mark of 43-10.75, one of the best underclass marks in the state.
Among the girls, Ava Coleman (Windsor) returns as one of the most versatile athletes after jumping 17-6 in the long jump and running 1:00.10 in the 400m last outdoor season. Ny'asia Taylor (Hillhouse) also stands out after leading the sophomore class in both the long jump (17-0) and triple jump (36-3.25).
Freshmen Throwers Already Producing State-Level Marks
The throws events feature one of the most dominant young athletes in the state. Chris Amy (Norwich Free Academy) threw 64-0.5 in the shot put and 170-2 in the discus last season, marks that already rank among the best in Connecticut regardless of class.
Other returning boys throwers include Tim Cavrell (Haddam-Killingworth), who threw 46-5 in the shot put, 145-8 in the discus, and 173-1 in the javelin, making him one of the most versatile underclass throwers.
In the sophomore class, Aiden Nosol (North Haven) leads the returning shot put group with a 44-9.75 throw.
For the girls, Lizzie Raccio (Kingswood-Oxford) and Lily Dulaire (Watkinson) lead the freshman throws group after placing among the top performers in shot put, discus, and javelin last season.
Among sophomores, Elliana Rexinger-McConne (Plainville) leads returning discus throwers with a 102-1 mark, while Hadley Fazekas (East Hampton) threw 106-2 in the javelin.
Outlook
With a strong group of sophomores already posting state-level marks and a freshman class beginning to emerge through both outdoor and indoor results, Connecticut's underclass pipeline appears deep across multiple event groups.