Mallard Creek well represented on 2026 Charlotte Observer track all-star teams
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- Mallard Creek won seven state titles, including two relay state titles.
- Nyan Brown won the 8A 300-meter hurdles in a state-record 35.96 seconds in 2026.
- Cameron Tucker won 5A state titles in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and led Jay M. Robinson.
Five N.C. state champions, and two state championship coaches, headline the 2026 Charlotte Observer boys’ and girls’ track teams.
Boys’ track athletes of the year
Mallard Creek’s Nyan Brown and Jay M. Robinson’s Cameron Tucker share the boys’ track athlete of the year award. Hickory Ridge’s Chase McCullough is the boys’ field events athlete of the year.
— Brown, an NC State recruit, ran the fifth-fastest 300-meter hurdles time this season, 35.96 seconds, to win the 8A state title. He also led the Mavericks to a third straight state championship after anchoring the winning 1,600-meter relay team. Brown was state runner-up in the 110-hurdles as well.
Mallard Creek was initially disqualified in the relay but after an appeal to the N.C. State Department of Education, Mallard Creek’s relay victory — which delivered the state title — was upheld.
— Tucker, the 5A state championship’s most outstanding performer, also led the Jay M. Robinson boys’ team to its first state title, beating the field by 28 points. Tucker, whom The Observer named boys’ indoor track runner of the year, won three individual events in the outdoor state championships — in the 100-, 200- and 400-meters.
Tucker’s 200-meter dash state title run, in 20.66 seconds, was a personal-best time and the fastest time run in the state this season. Tucker also ran the state’s best 400-meter dash (45.93 seconds at the 5A Western Regionals) and had the second-fastest 100. His state-title winning time of 10.29 second was just .01 behind the state’s best this year, a 10.28 from West Cabarrus’ Alijah Monroe at an in-season meet.
— McCullough won the 7A state title in the discus and finished fifth in the shot put. An Appalachian State recruit, McCullough had the state’s best discus throw, 203 feet, 1 inch, to win the Cabarrus County championship earlier this season.
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McCullough won 7A West Regional, Greater Metro Athletic conference and Cabarrus County championships in both the discus and shot put.
McCullough also had the Observer area’s best shot put this outdoor season, throwing a 59-8.5 to win the Weddington Invitational.
Girls’ track athletes of the year dominated in finals
Corvian Charter freshman Mylan Clay is the girls’ runner of the year after winning 2A championships in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles plus the triple jump and being named 2A MVP.
Clay also led the Corvian to a 2A state championship, beating the field by 48 points.
Clay ran an Observer-best 14.01 to win the state title in the 100-meter hurdles, while also running the Observer’s best 300-meter hurdles time (42.96) to win the 2A West Regional. Clay ran a 44.62 to win the 2A state title in the 300-meter hurdles.
Clay was also the reigning 2A state championships’ most outstanding performer at the 1A/2A state indoor championships.
Statesville senior Promise Lovelace is the girls’ field athlete of the year. Lovelace won the 6A state title in the discus and was fifth in the shot put.
A Charlotte 49ers’ recruit, Lovelace had the state’s best throws in the discus (161-10) and shot put (48-6) to win North Piedmont conferences titles earlier in the year. And she won 6A West Regional titles in both events.
Mallard Creek sweeps coaches of the year awards
A pair of Mallard Creek coaches take the awards.
Mavericks’ boys’ coach Sam Willoughby led the Mavericks to a third straight state championship, sharing this year’s title with Durham Jordan.
Mallard Creek got individual 8A state titles from Brown (300-meter hurdles) and Anthony Cook (discus), while also winning 8A state championships in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400-meter relays.
Mavericks’ girls coach Antoine Sanders led Mallard Creek to its first girls’ state title last month and Sanders’ girls beat the field by 56 points.
Mallard Creek was dominant with seven different state titles, including five individuals and two relays.
The Mavericks got state championships from sophomore Bella-Marie Black (100 and 200-meter dashes); junior A’riyanna Battle (triple jump); junior Jaliyah Hunter (100-meter hurdles); and junior, Mia Lynshue (300-meter hurdles). Mallard Creek also won 8A state titles in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 200-meter relays.
All-Observer boys’ track team
FIRST TEAM
100-meter dash: Alijah Monroe, West Cabarrus, Sr.: The University of South Carolina commit ran the states’ best time of the outdoor season, 10.28, to win the For the Dawgs’ Invitational. He was the 7A state champion.
200-meter dash: Cameron Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, Sr.: The Bulldogs’ senior won the 5A state title in the states’ best time this outdoor season, 20.66.
400-meter dash: C. Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, Sr.: Tucker ran the states’ best time this outdoor season, 45.93, to win the 5A West Regional. He was also the 5A state champion.
800-meter run: Drew Johnson, Hough Sr.: The Huskies’ senior was the 8A state runner-up in an Observer and personal-best time of 1:51.78.
1600-meter run: Bryce Cooke, Parkwood, Jr.: Cooke ran an Observer and personal-best time of 4:06.81 to finish ninth at the ASICS Distance Festival. Cooke was the 5A state runner-up.
3200-meter dash: Adam Haggart, Charlotte Country Day, So.: The Buccaneers’ star ran a personal and Observer-best time of 8:51.45 to finish sixth at the NCISAA Division I state championships.
110-meter hurdles: Nyan Brown, Mallard Creek, Sr.: The N.C. State commit ran a personal and Observer-best 13.79 to win the 8A West Regional title. He was also 8A state runner-up.
300-meter hurdles: N. Brown, Mallard Creek, Sr.: Brown set a state record time of 35.96 to win the 8A state championship.
High Jump: Tommy Pringle, II, Cuthbertson, Jr.: The Cavaliers’ star jumped an Observer-area and personal best 7-0.5 to become the first N.C. male athlete to win a Clyde Littlefield Texas Open title Pringle was the N.C. 7A state runner-up.
Long Jump: Kylar Crawford, Palisades, Sr.: The Pumas’ star jumped a personal- and Observer-area best 24-5 to win the 8A West Regional title. He was also sixth at the 8A state championships.
Triple Jump: Julian Williams, Northwest Cabarrus, Jr.: Williams jumped an Observer-area and personal-best 50-1.25 to win the 5A state championship.
Pole Vault: Will Martinbeau, Providence, Jr.: The Panthers’ star turned in an Observer- and personal-best 15-0 to win the Ballantyne/Charlotte Catholic Weekly meet. He was 8A state runner-up.
Discus: Chase McCullough, Hickory Ridge, Sr.: The Appalachian State commit jumped a personal-best 203-1 to win the Cabarrus County championships. He also won the 7A state championship.
Shot Put: C. McCullough, Hickory Ridge, Sr.: McCullough tossed a personal-best 59-8.5 to win the Weddington Invitational, finished fifth at the 7A state championships.
4 X 100-meter relay: Mallard Creek (Devin Dukes, Levi Brooks, Tyrell Barze, Mason Kelley): The Mavericks’ quartet won the 8A state championship in an-Observer area best 41.47.
4 X 200-meter relay: Berry (Vincent Womack, Jr., Romeo Abreu, Elijah Britt, Michael Davis): The Cardinals’ relay ran an Observer-area best 1:25.80 to win the 6A West Regional title.
4 X 400-meter relay: Mallard Creek (M. Kelley, L. Brooks, Josiah Vaden, N. Brown): The Mavericks’ relay turned in the state’s best time of this outdoor season, 3:15.10, to finish runner-up at the prestigious All-American Track Classic in Columbia, SC. The Mavericks’ quartet was also co-8A state champions.
4 X 800-meter relay: Metrolina Christian (Levi Little, John Capps, Josh Koos, Price Fee): The Warriors’ quartet ran an Observer-area best 7:52.71 to finish third at the NCISAA Division I state championships.
SECOND TEAM
100-meter dash: Cameron Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, Sr.
200-meter dash: Zayden Crommarty, Independence, So.
400-meter dash: Liam Kinken, South Mecklenburg, Jr.
800-meter run: Rowe Hopkins, Providence, Jr.
1600-meter run: Grady Anderson, Hickory Ridge, Jr.
3200-meter dash: G. Anderson, Hickory Ridge, Jr.
110-meter hurdles: Cameron Simpson, Corvian Charter, Jr.
300-meter hurdles: Zyon Hailey, Julius Chambers, Sr.
High Jump: Houston Tillotson, Cuthbertson, Sr.
Long Jump: Dorian Dailey, Mallard Creek, Jr.
Triple Jump: D. Dailey, Mallard Creek, Jr.
Pole Vault: Owen Donovan, Marvin Ridge, Jr.
Discus: Johnta Harrison, West Cabarrus, Sr.
Shot Put: Hunter Zettl, North Lincoln, Sr.
4 X 100-meter relay: Charlotte Christian (Josiah Amasa, Joey Wynn, Robert Amasa, Clete Saylor).
4 X 200-meter relay: Mallard Creek (T. Barze, J. Vaden, D. Dailey, L. Brooks).
4 X 400-meter relay: Hough (Kylan Bright, Luke Patton, Christian Carter, D. Johnson).
4 X 800-meter relay: Cuthbertson (Blake Dixon, Alfred Willie, Mason Haymore, John Weber).
All-Observer girls’ track team
100-meter dash: Zhoe Holt, Bradford Prep, Fr.: The Bears’ freshman ran a personal and Observer-area best time of 11.25 seconds to win the All the Dawgs’ Invitational, was also the 2A state champion.
200-meter dash: Z. Holt, Fr.: The Bears’ freshman ran an Observer-area best 23.45 to win the Wolverines’ Friday Night Heat.
400-meter dash: Coryn Tucker, Jay M. Robinson, Sr.: The Bulldogs’ senior won the 5A state title in a personal and Observer-area best 54.83.
800-meter run: Caitlin Kasten, Marvin Ridge, Jr.: The Mavericks’ star rab a personal and Observer-area best 2:08.83 to win at a Marvin Ridge meet. She was the 7A state runner-up.
1600-meter run: Colby McCollum, Cuthbertson, So.: McCollum ran a personal and Observer-area best 4:40.72 to win the 7A state championship.
3200-meter dash: Emma Balaban, Weddington, So.: The Warriors’ star ran a personal and Observer-best 10:26.19 to finish 11th at the ASICS Carolina Distance Festival, was also the 7A state champion.
100-meter hurdles: Mylan Clay, Corvian Charter, Fr.: Clay won the 2A state title in an Observer-area best 14.01.
300-meter hurdles: M. Clay, Corvian Charter, Fr.: Clay ran an Observer and personal-best 42.96 to win the 2A West Regional title, was also the 2A state champion.
High Jump: Asia Artis, Garinger, Sr.: Artis jumped an Observer and personal-best 5-9 to win the Ardrey Kell “Need 4 Speed” Invitational, also won the 8A state championship. Her 5-9 was the best in North Carolina in the outdoor season.
Long Jump: Farrah Anderson, Marvin Ridge, Sr.: Anderson jumped an Observer and personal-best 19-0.5 to win at Weddington, also finished third-place at the 7A state championships.
Triple Jump: A’riyanna Battle, Mallard Creek, Jr.: Battle jumped a personal and Observer-area best 38-7.25 to win the 8A West Regional title. Battle also won the 8A state championship.
Pole Vault: Isabella Kartsonis, Cuthbertson, Fr.: Kartsonis went an Observer-area and personal-best 13-4 (also best in the state this outdoor season) to win the Southern Carolinas’ conference title. She was the 7A state runner-up.
Discus: Promise Lovelace, Statesville, Sr.: The Charlotte 49ers’ commit had the state’s best throw this outdoor season, 161-10, to win the North Piedmont conference title. She also won the 6A state championship.
Shot Put: P. Lovelace, Statesville, Sr.: Lovelace had the state’s best throw this outdoor season, 48-6, to win the North Piedmont conference title. She also won the 6A state championship.
4 X 100-meter relay: Independence (Adriana Zega, Hannah Dadie, Grace Rogers, Talia Allen-McDowell): The Patriots’ relay ran an Observer-area best 46.50 to win the Butler girls-only challenge.
4 X 200-meter relay: Independence (Adriana Zega, Hannah Dadie, Grace Rogers, Talia Allen-McDowell): The same Patriots’ quartet ran an Observer-area best 1:39.44 to win the Clash of the Carolinas at Cuthbertson.
4 X 400-meter relay: Palisades (Marlee Moore, Kamryn Landrum, Kira Whitmore, Lila Smith): The Pumas’ relay ran the states’ best time this outdoor season, 3:52.03, to win the 8A West Regional title. They were 8A state runner-up.
4 X 800-meter relay: North Lincoln (Ava Donnellan, Kate Powell, Kylie Jacobs, Elsie Handy): The Knights’ relay won the All-American Track Classic title in Columbia, SC in an Observer-best, 9:17.21. They also finished fourth at the 5A state championships.
SECOND TEAM
100-meter dash: Adriana Zega, Independence, Jr.
200-meter dash: Bella-Marie Black, Mallard Creek, So.
400-meter dash: ZaNovia Davis, Garinger, Sr.
800-meter run: Kasey Dingman, Lake Norman, Sr.
1600-meter run: Caitlin Kasten, Marvin Ridge, Jr.
3200-meter dash: K. Dingman, Lake Norman, Sr.
100-meter hurdles: Mariana Askew, Corvian Charter, So.
300-meter hurdles: Adrianna Brown, Bradford Prep, Sr.
High Jump: Jala Webster-Jackson, Mallard Creek, Fr.
Long Jump: Madison Ellis, Butler, Sr.
Triple Jump: Kylia Sylvester, Butler, Jr.
Pole Vault: Mayah Runkle, Marvin Ridge, Jr.
Discus: Iyona Reid, Statesville, Sr.
Shot Put: I. Reid, Statesville, Sr.
4 X 100-meter relay: Mallard Creek (Jordan Vaden, Londyn Campbell, Madesyn Lyon, B.-Marie Black).
4 X 200-meter relay: Bradford Prep (A. Brown, Essence Ellison, Zaria Holt, Zhoe Holt).
4 X 400-meter relay: Mallard Creek (Sana’ia Lazenby, Mia Lynshue, Londyn Carter, L. Campbell).
4 X 800-meter relay: Marvin Ridge (Isabella Gentille, Summer Wilson, Tatum Tsumas, C. Kasten).
