Here are the 2026 Journal Star boys track and field all-area honorees in alphabetical order, led by player of the year.
Jaiduan Cranford, Metamora
The 2026 Journal Star Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year was the top sprinter in the Peoria-area this season. He becomes the third Metamora athlete — Drew Tucker (2023) and Jake Gillum (2017) — to be named in the award’s 27-year history. Cranford ran four events at the Class 2A state finals, anchoring the state-title winning 4×200-meter relay (1 minute, 27.08 seconds). He also finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (10.83 seconds) and ran the final leg in the fourth-place 4×100-meter relay (42.26 seconds). Those points helped Metamora win the program’s first-ever team state championship. The Northern Illinois football signee is also a member of the Peoria-area’s all-time fastest 4×200-meter relay (41.68 seconds) with Brayden Cox, Kylan McMillen and Jayson Pickles.
Trae Brickner, Peoria Christian
The senior ended his prep career with back-to-back state titles in the Class 1A 300-meter hurdles. He clocked a personal-best 37.87 seconds in winning the title. Brickner, who was the 2025 Journal Star Track Athlete of the Year, went undefeated in the 300, claiming 19 victories in a row dating back to last season. He was also the state third-place finisher in the 110-meter hurdles (14.59 seconds). Brickner also competed in the shot put, discus, high jump and long jump.
Zach Born, Metamora
The junior won the state title in the Class 2A 800-meter run in dramatic fashion. Born ran a personal-best 1:51.18 in coming from behind to claim the championship. That time was the best in Class 2A for 2026 along with being third fastest in Illinois. He was also the anchor on the sixth-place 4×400-meter relay (3:21.02) with Lucas Roos, Wilbert Eppenger and Drew Hodel at the state finals. Born was fifth last season in the 800 and is also an all-state cross country runner.
Coriell Green, Illini Central/Delavan
The junior claimed the Class 1A state championship in the 800-meter run to complete an undefeated season in the half mile. Green covered the blue track at Eastern Illinois in 1:51.83. His time of 1:51.81 was the fastest in Class 1A and sixth fastest in Illinois for 2026. He also added a state-qualifying effort in the 4×800-meter relay (8:14.39) with Jace Toland, Caden Rassi and Drew Toland. Green also won races in the 200, 400, 1600, 3200 and the 4×400-meter relay this season.
Ben Gorsage, Washington
The junior won the Class 3A 800-meter state title for a Peoria-area clean sweep in the state championships. He ran a personal-best 1:49.88, giving Washington its first boys track and field state champion in program history. His time was the fastest in Class 3A as well as the best in Illinois for 2026. Gorsage also was the anchor of the Class 3A state-qualifying 4×400-meter relay team. He also won the 800 and 1600 at the Mid-Illini Conference Meet.
Malik Johnson, Peoria High
The senior made program history with his Class 3A state championship in the triple jump. He leapt 48 feet, 4.5 inches to give the Lions their first triple jump state title since 1895 (John Crowner). Johnson’s distance was the best in Class 3A as well as the top length in Illinois for 2026. He also was the Class 3A 20th-place finisher in the long jump at 21-1.25. The Eastern Illinois signee also competed in the 400, 4×100 and 4×200-meter relays and the high jump.
Patrick Peterson, Dunlap
The sophomore burst onto the scene in a big way during the 2026 season. Peterson ended his campaign with a Class 3A discus state championship. His length of 201 feet, 5 inches was almost 10 feet farther than the runner-up finisher. His distance was the best in Class 3A along with being No. 1 in Illinois and 15th nationally. Peterson was also the Class 3A shot put state runner-up finisher. He is the Peoria-area all-time record holder in the discus and shot put (67-7, fifth nationally).
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Journal Star Boys Track and Field Athletes of the Year
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 2026 Journal Star all-area teams | Meet the top 7 boys track and field athletes
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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