The pinnacle of high school track and field was on full display as several New York Section 1 athletes etched their names into the record books, earning prestigious All-American honors at the 2025 New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia and Nike Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. These championship meets, both held on June 22, showcased extraordinary performances from our local talent on the national stage.
The proving grounds: New Balance Nationals & Nike Nationals
These dual championship meets represent the ultimate testing grounds for America’s elite high school track and field athletes. While the New Balance Nationals unfolded in Philadelphia, the Nike Nationals simultaneously took place in Track Town USA – Eugene, Oregon. The nation’s fastest, strongest, and most technically gifted young athletes converged at these venues to battle for national supremacy and coveted All-American recognition.
The competition formats mirror what many athletes will face if they continue to the NCAA track and field championships, providing invaluable experience on their athletic journey.
What does it REALLY mean to be All-American?
All-American status represents the gold standard of achievement in high school track and field. Awarded by the National High School Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (NHSTFXCCA), this prestigious honor recognizes the nation’s elite performers who meet rigorous performance standards.
At both the New Balance and Nike championships, athletes must finish among the top eight competitors in their respective events to earn All-American status. This designation isn’t merely symbolic – it serves as a powerful credential for college recruitment, validating an athlete’s ability to perform at the highest level under championship pressure.
Jane Hickey (Ursuline High School, NY): From zero to hero in record time
Ursuline High School junior Jane Hickey delivered a breakthrough performance in the 800m, clocking an astonishing 2:03.61 to secure 4th place overall at New Balance Nationals and earn All-American recognition. Her time catapulted her to third all-time in New York State history for high school girls.
What makes Hickey’s achievement particularly remarkable is her meteoric rise in the sport. Having only begun competitive running this winter, she has progressed from novice to national elite in just months – a testament to her natural talent and extraordinary work ethic.
“This was the fastest I’ve ever run. I just feel so honored to race against these girls, who are the best in the country. And now I’m among them. That’s the coolest feeling,” Hickey told lohud.com following her historic performance.
Bridget Dunn (Tappan Zee High School, NY): The distance dynamo
Tappan Zee High School junior Bridget Dunn demonstrated exceptional endurance and technical prowess, earning All-American honors with an 8th place finish in the grueling 2,000-meter steeplechase at Nike Nationals. Her time of 6:51.08 represents the culmination of years dedicated to perfecting the challenging combination of distance running and barrier navigation.
Dunn has established herself as a versatile distance talent throughout the season, excelling across multiple disciplines from cross country to track’s most technical events. Her steeplechase performance against a field of 46 competitors showcases her ability to execute under pressure on track and field’s biggest stage.
Charles Sullivan (Somers High School, NY): Hammer time!
Somers junior Charles Sullivan unleashed his power in the hammer throw, earning All-American honors with a silver medal performance at New Balance Nationals. His mark of 229 feet, 5 inches solidified his position as the second-ranked hammer thrower in the entire country.
Sullivan’s technical mastery of the event’s complex rotational mechanics, combined with his explosive power, establishes him as a leading contender for national championships in his senior campaign. With significant scholarship opportunities now on the horizon, Sullivan’s dedication to one of track and field’s most specialized events has clearly paid dividends.
Nathaniel Johnson (John Jay-East Fishkill High School, NY): The all-around animal
John Jay-East Fishkill junior Nathaniel Johnson showcased remarkable versatility in securing All-American honors with a third-place finish in the decathlon at New Balance Nationals. His impressive total of 6,821 points included victories in the 100-meter dash, high jump, and 400-meter run, demonstrating exceptional all-around athletic ability.
Johnson’s performance, featuring top-three finishes in seven individual disciplines, highlights his unique blend of speed, power, endurance, and technical skill. As college programs increasingly value multi-event athletes, Johnson’s decathlon prowess positions him as a highly coveted recruit.
The Masters School relay team (sprint medley): Speed, coordination, and pure grit
The Masters School quartet of Nicholas Moutsatsos, Brian Wolfson, Mason Rosenblatt, and Henry Frasca combined their talents to earn All-American honors in the sprint medley relay. Their third-place finish in 3:24.43 at New Balance Nationals exemplifies the seamless teamwork and specialized skills needed for relay success at the national level.
Each athlete contributed their individual strengths – explosive starts, maintaining momentum through the middle legs, and closing power – to achieve collective excellence. Their performance represents the culmination of countless practice sessions perfecting baton exchanges and tactical execution.
All-American achievements at a glance
Our Section 1 athletes demonstrated exceptional talent across a diverse range of events, from middle distance running to technical field events and multi-discipline competitions:
- Jane Hickey (Ursuline): 4th place, 800m, 2:03.61
- Bridget Dunn (Tappan Zee): 8th place, 2,000m Steeplechase, 6:51.08
- Charles Sullivan (Somers): 2nd place, Hammer Throw, 229’5″
- Nathaniel Johnson (John Jay-East Fishkill): 3rd place, Decathlon, 6,821 points
- Masters School Relay Team: 3rd place, Sprint Medley Relay, 3:24.43
These performances stand as models of excellence, comparable to the elite standards seen at the NCAA track and field championships results and analysis for collegiate athletes.
The road to glory: Key dates and meets
The journey to national championship success required progression through a series of increasingly competitive qualifying meets. These Section 1 All-Americans honed their skills at crucial development competitions including:
- Section 1 Championships
- New York State Championships
- Glenn D. Loucks Games
- Somers Lions Invitational
- Penn Relays
Each competition represented a stepping stone toward national excellence, providing opportunities to refine technique, build confidence, and establish momentum heading into the championship season.
What’s next for these All-American stars?
These All-American honors significantly enhance each athlete’s recruiting profile as they prepare for collegiate careers. Beyond immediate recognition, these performances establish benchmarks for future improvement and create momentum heading into next season’s campaigns.
For juniors like Hickey, Dunn, Sullivan and Johnson, the opportunity to defend and improve upon their All-American performances as seniors creates compelling storylines for the 2026 season. Their continued development will be featured in our track and field weekly digest throughout the year.
These remarkable achievements remind us of track and field’s unique capacity to showcase individual excellence within team frameworks, establishing these Section 1 athletes among the nation’s elite high school performers.
