Nike Jesuit Twilight Relays 2026: Why This Portland Showcase is the Crown Jewel of PNW Track
As I headed down the I-5 corridor from Olympia to Portland, I opened the moonroof, rolled down the windows, set the cruise control, and had the music on blast. The sun was blazing, the temps were perfect, and it was just one of those days that felt good. I knew even before I arrived that the track was going to be electric.
Ellery Lincoln of Lincoln High School crossing the finish line: A triumphant moment at the Nike Twilight Relays.
The Electric Atmosphere at Cronin Field
Energy and intensity on display as a runner carries the baton during the highly anticipated Twilight Relays.
But I still wasn’t ready for the burst of energy that hit me the second I parked. As I began unloading my gear, the excitement washed over me like a physical wave. The sheer volume of the fans, the announcer, and the music was so massive that it carried across the main parking lot, over the busy road, and past the buildings.
On the long walk in, I watched cars shuffling, people practically sprinting so they wouldn't miss their race, and a sea of team tents swallowing the exterior of the facility. Kids were everywhere. It was pure pandemonium.
Once I finally weaved my way through the endless maze of people and found a spot to stash my bag on the infield, I actually found the calm. That isn’t something I say often—usually, being down on the track is wild. And it was wild, but it was nothing compared to the chaotic energy surrounding the fence line.
Intense focus and athletic performance at the Twilight Relays as Malachi Schoenherr Sheldon (OR) representing the Irish team pushes toward the finish line.
Athletes compete in the Twilight Relays track and field event, showcasing speed and determination during an intense relay race.
Elite Athletes to Watch: 2025 Recap and 2026 Projections
Last year was my first time covering the Nike Jesuit Twilight Relays in Portland, Oregon—an event that has become a cornerstone of the Cascadia track circuit. Taking place just miles from Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, it instantly became a staple on my calendar from here on out. As I prep for the 2026 edition, I’ve been pouring over potential entries, digging for the unknown threats, and building a digital ecosystem on my site to give parents, fans, and athletes a centralized hub for race day intel and media.
A lot of athletes stood out to me last year, many of whom I've kept a close eye on ever since. Since I don't shoot in Oregon quite as often, this meet put several Oregon standouts permanently on my radar—guys like Yosuke Shibata (South Eugene), Malachi Schoenherr (Sheldon), Kellen Williams (Jesuit), and plenty more.
Athletes from South Eugene and Franklin High Schools demonstrate speed and precision during an intense evening relay race.
Last year’s race saw Josiah Tostenson (now at UW) and Tayvon Kitchen (now at BYU) lining up together, surrounded by a star-studded cast of elite athletes from across the PNW. Seeing these athletes compete at Jesuit is like getting a sneak peek at the future stars who will eventually light up Hayward Field in Eugene. The elite races are intense, not just on the track, but everywhere around it. Photographers are sprinting to get the angle, coaches are screaming splits, fans are deafening... it is so much fun. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the smile I caught myself wearing after the first few races once I finally settled in and just soaked up the atmosphere.
Athletes display intense focus at the starting line of a track and field relay race, batons in hand and ready for the signal.
The energy of the event is what makes it so spectacular. Every time athletes step onto the track, the intensity goes through the roof. There aren't just endless, repetitive heats; instead, it feels like a high-stakes final every single time the gun goes off.
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, everyone is out for blood—and a new personal best.
The 2026 Radar: The Washington Invasion
As I look ahead to the 2026 start lists, the talent pool crossing the Columbia River is shaping up to be massive. One prime target on my radar is Anacortes standout Dylan Rowell. Rowell has been absolutely dominating the Washington 2A field, and the Jesuit Twilight will be the ultimate proving ground to see how his devastating kick stacks up against the fastest distance runners in the region.
Beyond Rowell, my 2026 watchlist is heavily stacked with Washington speed I’m hoping to catch under the lights. I will be keeping my lens trained on heavy hitters like Carson Stafford (Tahoma) and Latham West (Bonney Lake), alongside a deep roster of Cascadia talent including Ailyn Haggard (Aberdeen), Catherine Harju (Stadium), Sloan Dickson (Lynden), Maren Rodgers (Sumner), Henry Herb (Seattle Prep), Nathanial Laursen (Issaquah), Lejla Carlsson and Gavin Mckeegan (Gig Harbor), and the Curtis High School duo of Owen Mangrum and Charlotte White.
Boys and Girls Elite 1-Mile Returning Roster
/// Target Acquisition Data
Boys Elite 1-Mile Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | Kellen Williams[JESUIT] |
4:07.61a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 09 | Malachi Schoenherr[SHELDON (OR)] |
4:09.63a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 13 | Ty Cirino[CENTRAL] |
4:12.40a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 18 | Maxwell Miracle[CRATER] |
4:20.13a | Yr: 10 |
Girls Elite 1-Mile Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ellery Lincoln[LINCOLN] |
4:39.37a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 03 | Sophia Rodriguez[MERCER ISLAND] |
4:46.14a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 05 | Hallie Heemeyer[ROCKY MOUNTAIN] |
4:49.96a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 07 | Latham West[BONNEY LAKE] |
4:53.44a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 10 | Sophie Schoolmeester[BANKS] |
4:55.44a | SR Yr: 11 |
| 11 | Eleanor Wyatt[WEST LINN] Photographer's Pick |
4:57.44a | Yr: 09 |
| 12 | Elissa Schaeffer[SUNSET] |
4:58.04a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 16 | Macallan Cutsforth[CANBY] |
5:02.03a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 19 | Avery Meier[WEST SALEM] |
5:12.73a | Yr: 11 |
Boys Elite 3000m Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | Cohen Butler[CAMAS] Confirmed Target |
8:27.99a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 07 | Isaac Benjamin[SOUTH KITSAP] Confirmed Target |
8:29.61a | Yr: 11 |
| 13 | Ashenafi McKinnis[NORTH EUGENE] |
8:36.56a | Yr: 10 |
| 14 | Lucas Franck[MOUNTAINSIDE] |
8:39.55a | Yr: 11 |
| 15 | Mason Morical[CALDERA] |
8:41.02a | Yr: 11 |
| 18 | Clayton Jero[SUMMIT] |
8:44.80a | PR Yr: 09 |
| 19 | Miles Halvorsen[BOZEMAN] |
8:45.27a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 22 | Liam Wilde[WILSONVILLE] |
8:48.95a | Yr: 11 |
Girls Elite 3000m Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Maddie Carney[CALDERA] |
10:01.07a | Yr: 10 |
| 06 | Nelida Dalgas[NORTH SALEM] |
10:14.01a | Yr: 11 |
| 08 | Brooke Thompson[ROCKY MOUNTAIN] |
10:18.38a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 12 | Jane Coffey-Read[IDA B. WELLS] |
10:24.88a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 13 | Anya Augustine[JESUIT] |
10:25.07a | Yr: 10 |
| 14 | Elizabeth Welsh[JESUIT] |
10:27.30a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 16 | Kelsey Rodli[DALLAS] |
10:32.39a | Yr: 11 |
| 17 | Adelaide Nelson[ST MARY'S ACADEMY] |
10:33.16a | Yr: 11 |
| 20 | Charlotte White[CURTIS] |
10:38.73a | PR Yr: 09 |
| 21 | Mia Rasca[WEST SALEM] |
10:39.81a | Yr: 11 |
| 22 | Miley Morical[CALDERA] |
10:43.01a | Yr: 09 |
| 23 | Zoe Montgomery[CRESCENT VALLEY] |
10:45.04a | Yr: 10 |
| 24 | Sophia Service[TIGARD] |
10:48.12a | Yr: 09 |
| 26 | Lauren Gerlach[TUALATIN] |
11:03.35a | Yr: 10 |
Boys Elite 3200m Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 | Cohen Butler[CAMAS] Confirmed Target |
9:01.61a | Yr: 11 |
| 10 | Isaac Benjamin[SOUTH KITSAP] Confirmed Target |
9:06.94a | Yr: 11 |
| 13 | Ashenafi McKinnis[NORTH EUGENE] |
9:10.46a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 16 | Clayton Jero[SUMMIT] |
9:16.81a | PR Yr: 09 |
| 17 | Mason Morical[CALDERA] |
9:17.84a | Yr: 11 |
| 18 | Miles Halvorsen[BOZEMAN] |
9:18.37a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 19 | Lucas Franck[MOUNTAINSIDE] |
9:18.80a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 24 | Liam Wilde[WILSONVILLE] |
9:26.89a | Yr: 11 |
Girls Elite 3200m Returners
| '25 Finish | Athlete & Affiliation | 2025 Mark | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Maddie Carney[CALDERA] |
10:36.37a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 06 | Brooke Thompson[ROCKY MOUNTAIN] |
10:54.59a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 08 | Nelida Dalgas[NORTH SALEM] |
10:54.89a | SR Yr: 11 |
| 12 | Anya Augustine[JESUIT] |
11:04.42a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 13 | Jane Coffey-Read[IDA B. WELLS] |
11:05.43a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 15 | Elizabeth Welsh[JESUIT] |
11:07.02a | Yr: 10 |
| 16 | Kelsey Rodli[DALLAS] |
11:14.02a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 18 | Mia Rasca[WEST SALEM] |
11:15.41a | SR Yr: 11 |
| 19 | Charlotte White[CURTIS] |
11:15.64a | Yr: 09 |
| 20 | Adelaide Nelson[ST MARY'S ACADEMY] |
11:16.43a | PR Yr: 11 |
| 22 | Zoe Montgomery[CRESCENT VALLEY] |
11:26.51a | PR Yr: 10 |
| 23 | Sophia Service[TIGARD] |
11:29.08a | Yr: 09 |
| 24 | Miley Morical[CALDERA] |
11:30.60a | Yr: 09 |
| 26 | Lauren Gerlach[TUALATIN] |
11:43.52a | SR Yr: 10 |
