Chicago St. Ignatius senior Annika Swan will be a featured performer at the CYUP Misfits Invitational presented by Tracksmith
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Time is ticking... but there is still time to register for the CYUP Misfits Invitational, presented by Tracksmith, scheduled for January 17, 2026. Please proceed, as registration is expected to close early!!!!
The 2026 indoor track & field season has not yet materialized, but efforts to assemble some of the best talent are underway. The 2025 edition of the CYUP Misfits Invitational was a major event that generated significant buzz in the aftermath.
Over the past five years, this meet has become a showcase of excellence, producing a National Record, six US #1 performances, and more than 70 Illinois #1s!
CYUP Misfits is more than just a competition-it's a chance for athletes to challenge themselves in unique "off" events like the 300m, 600m, and 1000m, breaking away from their usual lineup. This format offers a fun, competitive way to kick off the season, explore new opportunities, and make a statement without the pressure of their main events.
This is an opportunity to compete against national talent on one of the nation's fastest tracks. Yes, the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center in Chicago is the place to be. This venue has begun to flourish and is on its way to becoming the premier indoor track facility in the Midwest.
We believe we can achieve this by making the meet accessible to athletes of all abilities and skill levels. Whether you are an all-American, state champ, or newbie, this meet is for you! Our primary goal is to provide the best possible athlete experience. While we want to make sure that spectators and coaches have a fantastic time, let's remember that it is about the athletes first.
We're excited to see what this year's competitors bring to the track. Let's make the sixth year of CYUP Misfits a meet to remember!
Check out key entrants heading into 12/31:
Boys/Girls-
The Tracksmith Mile: This may go down as one of the most interesting mile races in Illinois soil history. Olympic gold medalists Matt Centrowitz and Nick Willis take command and adopt it as their own, serving as ambassadors.
Boys-
Jackson Miller (Jr., St. Louis University HS)- This outstanding runner is no stranger to Illinois turf, having competed in several cross country invitationals, running well at the Palatine Meet of Champions and Granite City Invitationals. Miller comes in sporting a 4:12.72 personal best.
Jameson Tenopir (Sr., Cary-Grove, IL)- The all-state cross country runner has also shown promise in the shorter distance, clocking 4:13.89. Tenopir earned all-state honors on the track last spring, placing fourth in 3A.
Wade Patten (Sr., Parkway West, MO)- One of the Show Me State's finest returning milers, Patten ran 4:16.64 PB.
Jace Works (Sr., Columbus North, IN)- The top returner from the Midwest's top cross country team that placed 8th at NXN, Works has already shown his prowess. In mid-December, at the Indiana State U Open Mile, Works ran unattached and won in 4:12.00!! Look for him to challenge an excellent Misfites field for the win.
Sean Reith (So., Homeschooled, OH)- As a freshman, Reith ran 4:13.10, one of the fastest recorded times in ninth-grade history. Now a year older, look for him to challenge a deep field for top honors.
Girls-
Sundara Weber (Sr., Sandwich, IL)- Sunny has quickly become one of the nation's best runners in cross country. Weber has clocked a blistering 4:46.22y! She placed runner-up in the Misfits 2 miler last year.
Annika Swan (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius)- The 3A defending state champion in the 800 and 1600, ran 4:44.43y. Swan took third in last year's Misfits Mile.
Eliza Schwass (Fr., Lundington, MI)- If you didn't know, you will soon find out who Eliza is. She was the nation's top middle-school miler last year, winning the NBNO title and clocking 4:44.88- #2 all time for an eighth grader.
Ellie Barada (Sr., Bloomington South, IN)- The U of North Carolina signee appears ready to run extremely fast if she toes the line at Gately. Barada is perhaps the most well-rounded runner in the field, possessing excellent speed and endurance. The NBNO champion has a PB of 4:43.60.
Charlee Gall (So., Cedar Falls, IA)- Gall won the Misfits middle school mile several years ago. As a freshman last year, Gall clocked 4:29.87 for 1500m.
Alexandra Scappaticci (Fr., Northville, MI)- Another former middle school prodigy from the Wolverine state, Scappaticci is an accomplished soccer player with a tight resume, clocking 4:54 for 1600m.
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Boys track/field related-
Caleb Winders (Sr., Bloomington North, IN)- The nation's top returning 800m runner, who clocked an eye-popping 1:46.85 to win the New Balance Nationals Outdoor title last June, is slated to compete. If so, be surprised to see him go after the national 600m record.
Owen Horeni (Sr., Yorkville, IL)- After recently placing third in the 3A state cross country championship with a blistering 14:07 (3m), he is one of the state's and nation's elite status middle-distance runners, coming in with personal bests: 1600m (4:14.91), 800m (1:51.87), and 400m (49.77). Horeni will be a key figure in the 600m, returning with the US#5 time of 1:21.19.
Gabriel Olson (Sr., Oak Creek, WI/Milwaukee Speed Academy)- One of the Badger state's top 100/200/400m speedsters, Olson clocked 10.52/21.60/47.88- placing second in the state championship in the latter.
Benjamin Dean (Jr., Eastbrook Academy, WI/Milwaukee Speed Academy)- One of the state's top underclassmen sprinters, Dean ran 10.83 and 21.58 last year. He comes in with a personal best 60m (6.98).
Jaden Merrick (Sr., Cedar Rapids, IA)- He is one of the best distance runners in the Midwest, having narrowly missed a trip to the Nike Cross Nationals but qualifying for the Misfits Invite. Merrick will be competing in the "deuce" with a personal best of 8:55.xx
Alden Morales (Sr., JSerra Catholic, CA)- Blazed 2:24.22 for 1000m (winter outdoor time) and 1:51 in the 800m. Morales will be an entrant in the 1K and is looking to roast a fast mark.
Zion Morrison (Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor, IL)- A super-talented athlete who can hurdle, jump, and sprint with the best of them. In this instance, Morrison will run the 300 and 60HH. Stayed to see some major fireworks.
Isaac Roman (Jr., Crown Point, IN)- The Hoosier All-American pole vaulter who cleared 16 feet. Look for him to go even higher,
Girls track/field related-
Rebekah Jhade-Garrett (Sr., North Canyon, AZ)- One of the nation's top hurdlers, Jhade-Garrett clocked 13.28 and is a top-three returner. Although she doesn't run much indoor track in sunny Arizona, RJG has a 60HH personal best of 8.44!
Addyson Abner (Sr., Valley View HS/TruSpeed Athletics, OH)- From the Buckeye state, is one of the nation's top returning 800-meter runners, possessing a personal best of 2:07.46 and placing runner-up in last summer's U20 Championship. Addy will be competing in the 600m.
Kyenret Rinkam (Jr., Brookfield Central, WI/Milwaukee Speed Academy)- An impressive track resume that includes several state championships and AAU All-American honors, Rinkam will be someone of interest to the fans. The defending Misfits Invite 60m dash queen is back and ready to surpass the sizzling 7.46!
Marley Scoggins (Sr., Calabasas, CA/Code Black Elite)- Hailing from sunny California and bringing the heat with 11.59 and 23.59w PBs. Scoggins crushed her limited indoor campaign, topping the 60m in 7.46.
Olivia Kirk (Sr., Calabasas, CA/Code Black Elite)- One of the nation's returning elite burners, Kirk has run 11.63 and 23.80w. She was also an integral part of the state's #3 4x100m relay that blazed a 45.61.
Malia Rainey (Jr., Calabasas, CA/Code Black Elite)- It will continue to rain fast times on the Misfits parade with the addition of another Cali speed demon, who is a 4x All-American. Rainey clocked 11.57 and 23.88 on the oval. She will be looking to improve her 7.65 undercover mark in limited attempts.
Emily Stecky (Jr., Chicago Depaul College Prep)- The state's top returning 800m runner (2:09.31) has enlisted in the mile, where she has a personal best under 5:00. Expect to see Stecky become one of the nation's elite performers in an event that she dabbled in last year.
