24 State Champions Highlight 2026 All-Metro Track & Field Team

ATLANTA - May 22, 2026 - Wrapping up another historic spring season, 24 state champions headline the 2026 All-Metro Track & Field Team, highlighting a standout class that includes several of the nation's top high school athletes. Representing 25 schools across 13 counties in metro Atlanta, this year's honorees reflect the depth, diversity and excellence of the region's track and field talent.

Landmark Christian freshman Melanie Doggett captured national attention at the GHSA Track & Field State Championships after breaking the age-14 girls 200m world record in 22.71 while competing in four different events that day. Doggett is being honored for both the girls 100m and 200m after claiming state championship titles in both events.

Marietta High School's Mary Nesmith is also being honored in two events after breaking the state record in the 1600m in 2025 (4:41.74). She added 2026 state titles in the 1600m and 3200m (10:28.52). At the Wingfoot Mile on Tuesday, May 19, she ran 4:46.31, putting her in the top 20 nationally in the mile. Olivia Harris of Buford High School will continue her reign in the girls 400m after claiming another 6A state championship in 53.22.

Collins Hill High School senior Jameson Pifer, returns to the All-Metro team after running a season best of 8:57.78 in the boys 3200m. Northgate High School's Carson Dobur earns the 1600m honor after closing his State Championship in 1:58 to finish in 4:09.27.

Jayson Jones of Norcross High School will receive honors for both the 200m and 400m. Jones ran the nation's fastest 400m time among the class of 2028 at the State Championships with a 46.12 and is the 6A state champion in both events.

Also receiving two event recognition awards is Khalen Pinkard of Carrollton High School for long jump and triple jump. His season best of 51-7.5 in triple jump is ranked second in the nation, and his State Championship long jump performance (24-9.25) defended his 6A state champion title. Central High School's Owen Wilkinson is being honored for pole vault after clearing 16-0 at state championship and to defend his 4A title.

Two female field athletes are extending their All-Metro Track & Field honor streaks: Cherokee High School's Jillian Waterman for shot put and Chamblee High School's Sierra Thornton for discus. In her sophomore year, Waterman earned the 6A state champion title for throw of 45-4, but her PR of 48-11 came from the week prior at GHSA 6A Sectionals. Thornton, also a sophomore, threw a PR of 161-10 in discus, earning her the 5A state champion title.

This year's All-Metro Track & Field honorees feature standout relay teams, including two teams who set state records this season. Alexander High School's boy 4x400m team ran a state record and U.S. #4 in 3:09.45. The Pope High School girls 4x800m team set a 5A state record in 9:13.09. Meanwhile, Buford High School's girls 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m swept the remaining girls relay honors, earning 6A state champion titles in all three events.

"Every season, the bar gets higher, and this year was no exception," said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club. "These athletes didn't just meet expectations, they redefined them, delivering performances that will shape the future of track and field in Georgia and nation-wide."

Voting is open now for the 2026 All-Metro Track & Field Athletes of the Year through Wednesday, May 27. The final awards of the night will go to the top boy and girl athletes both on the track and in the field events and will be awarded at the ceremony on June 3.

A full list of nominees is below.

The winners of the Patty Foell and Hawthorne Wesley Scholarships will also be announced at the awards ceremony. The $10,000 scholarships are awarded by Atlanta Track Club Foundation and Atlanta Youth Running Foundation to a boy and girl athlete in good academic standing who plan to continue competing in track and field or cross country in college.

Hosted by Atlanta Track Club, the All-Metro Track & Field Awards are the organization's longest-running event, recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes alongside the coaches who support and guide their success. Athletes are selected based on place at the state meet, season best and head-to-head competition. The Metro-area is defined as the 14 counties touching Fulton, DeKalb or Cobb Counties.

This year's awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 3 in midtown Atlanta. The event is open to honorees and their guests. More information about the ceremony can be found here.

Boys All-Metro Track & Field Team

Girls All-Metro Track & Field Team