Collin Langston of the Hillsborough Harriers, coming off a strong cross-country season in which he ran a 9:28.80 3000m, leads the middle school boys in the 3000m this spring with an early-season 9:36.58. He is one of Florida's top middle school distance runners. (Above winning the Middle School boys race at the FL Runners.com Invitational.)
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts
Top Performing Middle School Boys to Watch in Florida
(And Where They Rank vs High Schoolers)
Florida's middle school track and field talent continues to impress in 2026, with several athletes already producing marks that stack up favorably against high school competition.
Thanks to Florida's unique structure, where athletes attending 1-12 schools can compete at the varsity level, and for clubs at some meets, we can directly compare some middle school marks with high school rankings. A handful of athletes have already posted times and marks that fall within the statewide varsity lists.
Here is a look at some of the top middle school performers' marks in Florida so far this season, how they rank against high school athletes, and the top eighth-grader performances already in varsity meets. These athletes represent just a snapshot of the next wave of Florida track and field talent.
Note: This does not include events for which there is no conversion or in which the athletes compete with a different weighted implement.
100 Meter Dash
Top Middle School Performer
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John Curry (Dunedin Highland Middle School) - 11.17 would rank T-246th among Florida high school boys
Curry has emerged as one of the fastest middle school sprinters in the state, running 11.17, a time already competitive with varsity sprinters.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Michael Jackson (Holy Trinity Academy) - 11.65 (+0.4) Satellite High Reggie Johnson Invite - Feb 27, 2026 (18th)
Jackson has already stepped into varsity competition and posted a strong 11.65, showing early sprint potential.
200 Meter Dash
Top Middle School Performer
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John Curry (Dunedin Highland Middle School) - 23.04 would rank T-371st among Florida high school boys
Curry doubles up as the state's fastest middle schooler in both the 100 and 200, showing impressive sprint range.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Michael Jackson (Holy Trinity Academy) - 23.68 Holy Trinity Invitational - Mar 7, 2026 (5th)
Jackson continues to show promise in the half-lap event with a 23.68 performance in varsity competition.
400 Meter Dash
Top Middle School Performer
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Trenten Miller (Miami Carol City HS) - 53.40 Would rank T-598th among Florida high school boys
Miller's 53.40 highlights strong early-season speed and strength. He's only going to keep improving.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Nicholas Henderson (Calvary Christian Academy - Ft. Lauderdale) - 53.11 Ellis Elite 16 Invitational - Mar 7, 2026 (35th)
Henderson's varsity mark actually edges the top middle school mark in the rankings.
800 Meter Run
Top Middle School Performer
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Pedro Rodriguez (Miami Elite Track Club) - 2:08.84 would rank 489th among Florida high school boys
Rodriguez leads the middle school rankings with a solid early-season mark.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Pedro Rodriguez (Doral Academy Charter HS) - 2:05.17 Ellis Elite 16 Invitational - Mar 7, 2026 (25th)
Rodriguez improves significantly in varsity competition, lowering his mark to 2:05.17.
1500m / 1600m
Top Middle School Performer
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Drake Matyka (Unattached) - 4:29.50 (1500m) Converted 1600m: 4:49.36 Would rank ~420th among Florida high school boys
Matyka's performance at the Early Season FLYRA Qualifier is the fastest middle school-equivalent 1600m this season.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Pedro Rodriguez (Doral Academy Charter HS) - 4:45.42 Southridge Spartan Invitational - Feb 20, 2026 (8th)
Rodriguez again shows his range with a varsity 4:45 1600m performance, just ahead of Matyka's converted 1500m time.
3000m / 3200m
Top Middle School Performer
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Collin Langston (Hillsborough Harriers) - 9:36.58 (3000m) Converted 3200m: 10:19.07 Would rank 211th among Florida high school boys
Langston's converted mark would place comfortably within the top 250 high school times statewide.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Joaquin Cogo (Doral Academy Charter HS) - 10:25.67 Southridge Spartan Invitational - Feb 20, 2026 (10th)
Cogo's varsity race shows he is already competitive against high school distance runners.
Long Jump
Top Middle School Performers
Juan Perez (Foundation Academy) - 5.81m would rank T-615th among Florida high school boys
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
Josh Burch (Unattached) - 6.26m VTO/IMG Academy Open - Feb 28, 2026 (4th)
Burch's 6.26m jump would rank among strong varsity marks across Florida.
Triple Jump
Top Middle School Performer
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Demar Ricketts (Emerald Coast Middle School) - 12.00m would rank T-232nd among Florida high school boys
A 12-meter jump places Ricketts firmly within competitive varsity territory.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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James Hartman (Episcopal School of Jacksonville) - 11.47m Coach Hunt Classic - Feb 26, 2026 (1st)
Hartman claimed the meet win while competing against varsity athletes.
High Jump
Top Middle School Performer
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Hunter Green (Cuco Track Club) - 1.68m would rank T-396th among Florida high school boys
Green's clearance shows impressive early jumping ability.
Top 8th Graders in High School Meets
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Kevin Manso (Doral Academy Charter HS) - 1.57m
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Julius Torres (Victory Christian Academy) - 1.57m
Both athletes cleared 1.57m in varsity competition.
Pole Vault
Top Middle School Performer
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Lofton Stokes (Emerald Coast Middle School) - 3.05m would rank T-159th among Florida high school boys
Pole vault continues to produce standout young talent, with Stokes already clearing over 10 feet.
Top 8th Grader in a High School Meet
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Jacob Visser (The First Academy) - 3.36m Royal Open @ The First Academy - Feb 25, 2026 (3rd)
Visser's 3.36m clearance already places him comfortably among varsity competitors.
Collin Langston of the Hillsborough Harriers, coming off a strong cross-country season in which he ran a 9:28.80 3000m, leads the middle school boys in the 3000m this spring with an early-season 9:36.58. He is one of Florida's top middle school distance runners. (Above winning the Middle School boys race at the FL Runners.com Invitational.)
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts