Top Returning Track and Field Stars for 2026 Season

North Jersey athletes look to build on past success in upcoming year

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:20am

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The top returning high school track and field performers in each of the 15 individual events for the 2026 season have been announced, with several standout athletes from North Jersey schools expected to lead the way. Zoey Orlando of IHA is the top-ranked returner in the girls 100m and 200m, while Bridget Cannon of Ramapo is the top 400m runner.

Why it matters

Track and field is a major high school sport in New Jersey, with many athletes using their success at the state level as a springboard to college and professional careers. These rankings highlight the top talent that will be competing in the upcoming season and provide a preview of the exciting matchups and records that could be set.

The details

The list includes the top 5 returning performers in each individual event, with their 2025 season times noted. Several athletes are ranked in the top 25 in the state, including Zoey Orlando (4th in 100m, 14th in 200m), Jenna Monaco of Dumont (14th in 100m), and Bridget Cannon of Ramapo (21st in 400m). Other top returners include Jahzara McLean Abdullah of Passaic Tech, Sophia DeLorenzo of Ramapo, Reilly Sati of Westwood, and Samiya Bovell of River Dell.

  • The 2026 high school track and field season will begin in March 2026.

The players

Zoey Orlando

A junior at IHA, Orlando is the top-ranked returner in the girls 100m and 200m events after posting times of 11.88 and 24.73 respectively in 2025.

Bridget Cannon

A senior at Ramapo High School, Cannon is the top-ranked returner in the girls 400m event after running a 56.73 in 2025, which ranked her 21st in the state.

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The takeaway

The 2026 high school track and field season in New Jersey is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several top-tier athletes returning to compete for state titles and national recognition. Fans will be eager to see if these standout performers can build on their past successes and cement their legacies as some of the best to ever compete at the high school level in the state.