The 2026 Texas high school track and field season was full of photo finishes, record-breaking performances and outstanding individual achievements.
Now with the high school track and field season officially in the books, it’s time to answer a major question – Who was the Big Country’s best boys track and field athlete during the 2026 season?
We want to hear from you! The Reporter-News has selected 16 of the top Big Country-area high school athletes as finalists for the 2026 Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Boys Track & Field MVP.
Finalists were selected based upon statistics, individual accolades, record-breaking performances and feedback from area coaches.
The Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Boys Track & Field MVP poll will open on Monday, June 22, and close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.
Here is a closer look at every candidate for the Abilene Reporter-News’ Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Boys Track & Field MVP for the 2026 Texas high school track and field season:
Athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
Camden Ables, Hawley, Jr.
Ables dominated at the Class 2A UIL State Track and Field Meet, where he won a gold medal in discus (172-03).
Gavin Brooks, Tuscola Jim Ned, Sr.
Gavin was a key part of Jim Ned’s 4×400 and 4×100-meter relay teams to highlight a strong senior season, helping the Indians secure fifth (3:15.80) and sixth-place finishes (41.99) in the 4×400 and 4×100, respectively, at the Class 3A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Kolton Dearth, Stephenville, Sr.
Dearth — one of the Big Country’s top throwers — narrowly beat out Stephenville teammate Keaton Goode for first place in shot put (61-02.50) at the Class 4A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Aaron Fagan, Zephyr, Sr.
Fagan reached the podium in both distance events he competed in during the Class 1A UIL Track and Field Meet, securing a gold medal in the 3,200-meter run (9:48.81) and a bronze in the 1,600-meter run (4:35.41).
Kohen Grantom, Coahoma, So.
Grantom dominated every boys wheelchair division event at the 2026 UIL State Track and Field Meet, completing a gold-medal sweep by placing first in the 100 meters (15.18), the 400 meters (53.50) and shot put (27-08.00).
Jordan Gutierrez, Hico, Sr.
Gutierrez, who capped off a decorated junior season at Iredell at last year’s Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet, absolutely dominated this year’s 2A state meet and headlined a big weekend for the Tigers, capturing gold medals in the 100-meter dash (10.57), the 200-meter dash (21.30) and long jump (22-10.50).
Jaden Jackson, Abilene High, Sr.
Jackson, one of the Big Country’s elite sprinters, was the Abilene area’s lone representative at this year’s Class 5A UIL State Track and Field Meet and captured a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (10.45).
Max Jones, De Leon, Sr.
Jones finished a strong senior season with a bang when he raced to a second-place finish (48.50) in the 200-meter dash at the Class 2A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Kannon Kensing, Blanket, Sr.
Kensing finished an incredible senior year by earning multiple medals for Blanket at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet, winning gold medals in 100-meter (10.96) and 200-meter dashes (21.95) as well as helping the Tigers finish ninth in the 4×100-meter relay (3:37.42) at the state meet.
Kagen Logan, Stamford, Sr.
Logan muscled his way to the top of the podium for Stamford at the Class 2A UIL State Track and Field Meet by earning a gold medal in shot put (53-02.50).
Camden Lummus, Roby, Jr.
Lummus, who won regional titles for the Lions in the 3,200 and 1,600-meter runs, capped of a strong junior year at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet with a bronze medal in the 3,200 (9:58.30) and a fifth-place finish in the 1,600 (4:40.78).
Kaison Nunez, Strawn, Sr.
Nunez shined for Strawn at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet, winning a gold medal in the 400-meter dash (48.04) and helping the Greyhounds win an additional gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay (43.38).
Haegen Pinkerton, Haskell, Jr.
XPinkerton raced his way to a silver medal in the 200-meter dash (21.76) at the Class 2A UIL State Track and Field Meet and also helped Haskell lock up fourth and fifth-place finishes in the 4×100 (42.69) and the 4×200-meter relay (1:29.04), respectively.
Stryker Reed, Gordon, Sr.
Reed — who led the Big Country by qualifying for the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet in five separate events — won individual gold medals in both the 110-meter (14.20) and 300-meter hurdles (37.24), earned another gold medal as part of the Longhorns’ 4×400-meter relay team (3:23.04), locked up a bronze medal in pole vaulting (14-00.00) and secured a fifth-place finish in the long jump (6-02.00) at the 1A state meet. He also broke his own 1A UIL state record in the 300-meter hurdles, and helped Gordon capture their second straight team state title.
Brice Roesler, Richland Springs, Jr.
Roesler showed why he’s one of the Lone Star State’s most dominant throwers by completing a gold-medal sweep in discus (165-08) and shot put (55-01.50) at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Sean Stanaland, Jayton, Sr.
Stanaland ended his senior season on a high note at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet by winning a gold medal in the 800-meter run (1:57.58), earning a silver medal in the 400-meter dash (48.29) and helping the Jaybirds finish fourth in the 4×400-meter relay (3:29.70).
VOTE HERE
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Fan Vote: Who should be 2026 All-Big Country Boys Track & Field MVP?
Reporting by Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News | USA TODAY Network
