Andre Odums

The 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games brought together some of the nation’s most talented young athletes for a memorable week of competition at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

From the opening events through the final races, the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics delivered outstanding performances, personal breakthroughs, friendships, and moments that these young athletes and their families will remember for years to come.

The weather also played a major role. Temperatures generally remained in the 86-to-92-degree range, providing considerably more favorable conditions than the previous year’s competition in Houston, Texas, where athletes battled through days approaching 100 degrees. With the weather cooperating, athletes had an opportunity to compete at their highest level.

And they took advantage of it.

A Meet Filled With History

The 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games produced 20 record-breaking performances, highlighting just how competitive this generation of young athletes has become.

One of the most remarkable stories came from Emeri Cotton of The Cotton Club Posi, a youth running club based in Bear, Delaware, founded by her grandfather.

Cotton dominated the 8U Girls division, producing an incredible three national-record performances in one week.

She broke the 100-meter national record, previously held by Cerenity Bell since 2023, improving the mark with a 13.67-second preliminary performance before lowering it again to 13.56 seconds in the final.

She also shattered her own 200-meter record of 27.99 seconds, which she had established as a 7-year-old, running 27.36 seconds in the semifinals before finishing the final in 27.63.

Then came the 400 meters, where Cotton broke her own 2025 national record of 1:04.33 with an outstanding 1:03.32.

Her success is part of a family track-and-field legacy. Her father, Sam Cotton, is a coach and former all-state running back, while her mother, Amber Wise, is a former track athlete.

More Record-Breaking Performances

Emeri Cotton wasn’t the only young athlete making history.

Brandt Cook, competing in the 13-year-old boys division, became the first athlete in his age-group history to break the 11-second barrier in the 100 meters, setting the record at 10.92 seconds.

Asher Denman, just 9 years old, produced an extraordinary performance by establishing a world age-group record in the long jump, while also setting a new AAU Junior Olympics record in the 200 meters with a time of 26.23 seconds.

In the 17-18 Girls division, Vivian Salerno established a new 800-meter record with an impressive 2:06.54.

These performances helped make the 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games one of the most memorable editions of the competition.

Texas Athletes Make Their Mark

For athletes traveling from Texas, the journey to Des Moines was about more than competing. It was about representing their families, clubs and communities on one of the biggest youth track-and-field stages in the country.

Among those athletes was 11-year-old Troy Minick II, who finished ninth in the Turbo Javelin. Rather than leaving after his own competition, Troy stayed around to support his friends and fellow Texas athletes.

That spirit of sportsmanship was on full display as he cheered on Mat and Obinna Uzowulu, both from the Houston area.

For Obinna Uzowulu, the trip ended with a special milestone. After competing at the AAU Junior Olympics three previous times, he finally captured his first gold medal, winning with a throw of 37.41 meters.

Sometimes the biggest victory isn’t simply winning. It’s continuing to come back, continuing to work and finally seeing the breakthrough.

Recognizing the Athletes Who Represented Their Clubs

The 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games also provided an opportunity to recognize athletes who represented their organizations with pride and determination.

Among those deserving recognition are:

• Sergio McFarlane — DeSoto Nitro Track Club
• Liam McFarlane — DeSoto Nitro Track Club
• Chloe Moye — Wings Track Club
• Vance Moye — Wings Track Club
• Dorian Howard — Wings Track Club, 18U
• Devan Howard — Wings Track Club, 11U

Each athlete contributed to the larger story of the meet — a story built around preparation, perseverance, competition and the pride of representing their communities.

Jai Brown Sweeps the 8U Events

Texas Track Clubs’ Jai Brown also had a standout performance in Des Moines.

Brown won the Boys 8U 100 meters, 200 meters and Long Jump, producing personal-best performances across all three events.

His results included:

• 100m Finals: 13.39 seconds (+0.7)
• 200m Semifinals: 28.17 seconds (+0.7)
• Long Jump: 4.37 meters

Winning three events at the AAU Junior Olympics is an accomplishment in itself. Doing it while establishing personal bests in every event makes the performance even more impressive.

More Than Medals

The AAU Junior Olympics are about much more than medals and records.

Behind every race is a family that traveled hundreds or thousands of miles. Behind every personal best are hours of practice. Behind every medal are coaches, parents, teammates and supporters who helped young athletes believe that they could compete at the highest level.

The photographs from Drake University captured those moments — athletes proudly displaying medals, celebrating accomplishments, supporting teammates and standing together after competition.

For some, Des Moines was the place where they made history.

For others, it was where they earned their first major medal.

For others still, it was simply another step in a much longer journey.

But for everyone who participated, the 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games will be remembered as a celebration of youth, athleticism, perseverance and dreams.

Looking Ahead to Houston

As the 2026 games came to a close in Des Moines, the attention now turns toward 2027.

The 61st AAU Junior Olympic Games will return to Houston, Texas, bringing the nation’s top young athletes back to the Lone Star State.

After experiencing the heat of Houston in 2025 and the more moderate conditions of Des Moines in 2026, the athletes will once again have an opportunity to compete on Texas soil.

The next chapter is already waiting.

Des Moines gave them the stage.
The athletes gave us the memories.
And Houston is next.

The 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games proved once again that the future of track and field is bright — and that some of tomorrow’s stars are already making history today.

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