2026 USATF Indoors Day 1: The Art of Competition Great first day.

So, competition is the name of the game in track and field, dear readers.

At the Ocean Breeze Athletics Complex, I spent Friday watching athletes, talking with coaches and interviewing athletes and coaches, as well as taking in the wisdom of the community.

The late, great Clyde Hart, coach of Sania Richards-Ross and Jeremy Warrie, among others, told me several times that coaches should be open to learning new approaches every day. One of Clyde’s friends, Jim Bush, told me the same thing. Coach John Smith, back in the early 2000s, sat down with me, Saeed Autia, and the late Paul Banta, organizer of the adidas Oregon Track Classic, and shared two hours of training advice for the 400 meters and then the middle distances. It was one of those nights I wish I had the tape recorder on.

On Friday practice day and Saturday race day I have these observations.

1. The art of racing is not about running fast, it’s about learning how to compete in different environments. If an athlete is doing all the racing with fast times, paces and pace lights, that is NOT a championship race. Your athletes need as many different racing environments as they can experience. They must be knocked down, knocked down and recovered and compete. They need to stumble and know they can overcome. I fear a rather antiseptic approach to racing, the desire for fast times, while it has its place, does not prepare North American runners for how to navigate through rounds and finals.
2. Racers and record breakers. Two of our best racers Cole’s stool and: Nikki Hiltz. Cole just won the 3000 meters on Saturday, a decently paced race, and our top three runners in North America; Cole, Nico Young and Jared Nugus. The pace was honest and that last 1000 meters was so exciting. Replay the race, watch Cole Hawkser step up, watch from the outside as Jared Nuguse used variations in what he did to win a medal in Paris. Nico Young will learn from that race and be better prepared for the global battles to come.

   

3. Let’s talk about it Nikki Hiltz. Nikki is on top of their game. The stress of a world-class athlete is one thing. Nikki has felt the hate and hate at times is just wrong. And when so-called Christians tell me what violates the Bible, I remind them that Jesus surrounded himself with people of all kinds of occupations. The message of all religions is love and acceptance, not judgment and sending horrible social posts. Nikki is a prime example. Nikki is also one of the best racers in North America. Nikki Hiltz looks to me as a world medal prospect. Their focus on the 1500m, a decision by Nick and their coach Julie Benson, makes a lot of sense to Nick. Looking forward to Nicky Hiltz racing on Sunday. (Nikki was coached in high school by my old teaching partner Dan Gruber at Aptos High).

   

4. I love Chase Jackson. I’ve interviewed him many times and he’s an outstanding quote, combining laughter and profaneness. Chase has some competition on Saturday and had a big throw of 20.44 meters and is ready to throw in Poland. Chase also reminded me of how many women pull together, encourage each other, and have a great time competing. Watch the shot, Chase Jackson in Poland looking for that indoor gold medal, the only one he doesn’t have.

   

5. Speaking of funny and pointed athletes, let’s talk Trey Cunningham. Trey Cunningham finished second in the 60m hurdles, second to Dylan Bird who scored a PB to take the win. When I asked Trey what he learned about the obstacles in that race, Trey said, “Well, 7.40 is pretty fast.” During the presser we talked about what has been going on this season that has made him compete so well. Trey described it as a presence. He’s in the moment, focused on the start, and then if it goes well, the rest comes into play.

   

6. Cooper Lutkenhaus. Cooper is sixteen years old. He is the under-20 world 800m record holder and has run the 800m like a pro. Cooper interviewed me for our NIKE newsletter and he was fantastic. Watch for Cooper to be around for another fifteen years if he wants to. Cooper wants racing experience, and he and his team are focused on getting him those experiences.

   

7. Jasmine Moore takes the long jump. Jasmine Moore has won medals, Olympic medals focus on the long jump and triple jump. He is a unique talent who competes in the most technical sports (triple jump) and the most direct sports events (long jump). Jasmine was so happy in the interview, please her competition.

   

8. For the big win Emily McKay. Emily won the 3,000 meters, fighting back He St. Pierre. Emily and Ellie tied Lynn Jennings and Vicki Huber’s thirty-six-year-old record of 8:44 from 1990. Emlee ran 8:30.01 and 8:31.07 for Elle. Watch Elle in the 1500m on Sunday. He is very competitive. Her two boys are at home sick with their father and family and Ellie is determined to have a good race. Elle is the 2024 Glasgow 3000m indoor champion.

   

9. Khaleb McRae He is the new indoor world record holder in the distance of 400 meters. He looked great in the heats and he is focused on the big prize. Khaleb ran 43.91 outdoors and trained with Jeremy Richards, world silver medalist in the 400m, under the watchful eye of Lance Brauman. Watch Khaleb, he has a WR look in his eyes.

   

10. Six-meter club. Zach Bradford won the US pole vault title, but perhaps just as importantly, she cleared 6.01 meters, her sixth time this year at or above 5.90 meters. Zach has been archery since he was five years old, just like his brother and father. A quiet athlete who speaks with measured words, Zach lets his arches do the talking. Please watch Zack, he’ll pick up a medal or two in the World Vault Wars.

    

11. Check out our interviews on IG, twitter and FB. Jeff Benjamin, the senior writer and I are in the mixed zone doing interviews. Watch Deji Ogeyingbopost some observations on social networks.
12. We will write about the meeting all week.