2025's Rising Stars: High School Male Track & Field Athletes You Need to Know

As the 2025 track and field season heats up, several standout high school athletes are already making headlines, breaking records, and setting the stage for the future of athletics. Here's a detailed look at some of the top talents to watch this year:

Quincy Wilson (Bullis School, MD) – Sprints Wilson stunned the athletics community when he set a new U.S. high school indoor 400m record, clocking an astonishing 45.66 seconds at the New Balance Grand Prix, even besting professional athletes. His explosive speed and competitive spirit mark him as a future star in sprinting.

Andrew Salvodon (Bayside High School, VA) – Sprints Salvodon made waves nationally by breaking the high school indoor 500m record in a blistering 1:00.49. Adding to this feat, his indoor 400m time of 45.84 seconds places him among the fastest ever high school runners, highlighting his remarkable speed and consistency.

Cooper Lutkenhaus (Northwest High School, TX) – Middle Distance At the prestigious Millrose Games, Lutkenhaus shattered expectations by setting a national high school indoor record in the 800m at 1:46.86. His remarkable performance against seasoned athletes confirms him as one of the best middle-distance prospects in years.

Sidi Njie (Westlake High School, GA) – Sprints With a 200m best of 20.63 seconds and a 400m time of 45.37 seconds, Njie’s speed is undeniable. His accomplishments include securing a bronze medal in the 400m and a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships, establishing himself as a global sprinting talent.

Benjamin Shue (Bergen Catholic, NJ) – Throws Shue is a powerhouse in the throwing events, holding a discus best of 211 feet 6 inches and shot put at 65 feet 8 inches. His strength, technique, and consistency have made him one of America's top high school throwers.

Jack Stadlman (Temecula Valley, CA) – Sprints Emerging from a basketball background, Stadlman quickly made his mark in track, running the 400m in a swift 45.69 seconds and the 200m in 21.10 seconds, ranking among California's elite. His seamless transition to sprinting showcases his versatile athleticism.

Rowdy Pearce (Midland Christian, TX) – Throws Pearce demonstrated his dominance at the 2025 TAPPS State Championships, capturing state titles in both shot put (56 feet 6 inches) and discus (171 feet 1 inch), underscoring his impressive throwing capabilities.

Braden Belew (Midland Christian, TX) – Distance Belew’s versatility was on full display at the TAPPS 5A North Regional Meet, winning the 800m (1:56.33), 1,600m (4:27.02), and 3,200m (9:44.72). His strong endurance and tactical running make him a standout in distance events.

Gus Rohde (Reed City High School, MI) – Distance A consistent performer, Rohde has earned multiple all-state honors across distance events, notably in cross-country and track. His steady improvement and resilience in races like the 1,600m and 800m set him apart in Michigan's competitive distance running scene.

George Stenberg (Fredericksburg High School, TX) – Sprints Stenberg captured the Class 4A Texas state title in the 100-meter dash with an impressive 10.52 seconds, establishing himself as one of the fastest high school sprinters in Texas and beyond.

Gout Gout (Australia) – Sprints International sensation Gout Gout electrified the athletics world with his wind-assisted 19.84 seconds in the 200m and an official 20.04 seconds, breaking Australia's longstanding national junior record. His rapid rise places him among the world's elite junior sprinters.

Divine Iheme (United Kingdom) – Sprints At just 15, Iheme set a stunning world indoor age-group record in the 60m with a 6.71-second dash and ran a blazing 100m in 10.30 seconds at age 14. Iheme’s performances hint at incredible potential and future Olympic aspirations.

Naoki Nishioka (Japan) – Sprints Japan's emerging star, Nishioka, became the national indoor champion in the 60m, recording a blazing 6.56 seconds, and holds a personal best of 10.11 seconds in the 100m. His quick ascension in sprinting signals a bright future for Japanese athletics.

These exceptional athletes represent the exciting future of track and field, each bringing unique talents and setting standards that inspire both fans and fellow competitors alike.