Top Athletes to Watch at USATF Indoor Championships

Noah Lyles, Cole Hocker, and other stars set to compete in New York City

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The USATF Indoor Championships, a key qualifier for the upcoming World Indoor Championships, will take place on February 28 and March 1 in New York City. Several top American athletes, including sprinter Noah Lyles, middle-distance runner Cole Hocker, and others, are set to compete in events ranging from the 60-meter dash to the 3000 meters.

Why it matters

The USATF Indoor Championships serve as an important stepping stone for American athletes as they prepare for the World Indoor Championships. The meet will showcase some of the country's best track and field talent and provide a glimpse of who to watch for on the global stage.

The details

The two-day event will be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletics Complex in Staten Island. In addition to Lyles and Hocker, other top athletes competing include Jordan Anthony, a rising 100m star; Yared Nuguse, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m; Nikki Hiltz, the reigning indoor 1500m champion; Trayvon Bromell, the former world indoor 60m champion; Ajee Wilson, the former world indoor 800m champion; and Ronnie Baker, the Tokyo Olympics 100m finalist.

  • The USATF Indoor Championships will take place on February 28 and March 1, 2026.
  • The meet will serve as a qualifier for the upcoming World Indoor Championships.

The players

Noah Lyles

A high-profile sprinter who is returning to the USATF Indoor Championships for the first time in nearly a decade.

Cole Hocker

The reigning Olympic and world champion in the 1500m event, aiming to extend his legacy at the indoor championships.

Jordan Anthony

A 21-year-old rising star who recently won the NCAA title and has a personal best of 9.95 seconds in the 100m.

Yared Nuguse

The Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m, and a former indoor mile world record holder.

Nikki Hiltz

A middle-distance runner who has won the last three USATF Indoor Championships in either the 1500m or 3000m.

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What they’re saying

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— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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