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NJ High-School Indoor Track 2025-26: A Preview of the Road Ahead

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 2:21 GMT by NJ.com

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NJ High‑School Indoor Track 2025‑26: A Preview of the Road Ahead

The 2025‑26 indoor track season is almost upon us, and the state’s top high‑school programs are already firing up for what promises to be a fiercely competitive campaign. In a comprehensive preview published on NJ.com’s high‑school sports section, the author pulls together the latest rankings, roster updates, coaching changes, and scheduling notes that will shape the season. Below is a distilled recap of the key take‑aways that every fan, coach, and athlete should know.

1. The Power‑House Programs Still in the Mix

New Jersey’s high‑school track landscape has long been dominated by a handful of schools that consistently finish near the top of the NJSIAA standings. The preview confirms that St. Anthony’s (Atlantic City), Ridgefield High, Westfield High, and St. Thomas Aquinas (Bergen County) will again be the power‑houses to watch. Each of these schools boasts a roster that includes multiple returning athletes who have already set state records in the previous season.

• St. Anthony’s returned with a balanced mix of experienced sprinters and distance runners, all of whom placed in the top ten at last season’s championships.
• Ridgefield added a new assistant coach who previously led the team at a top‑ranking New York school, promising fresh strategies in both the 400‑meter hurdles and the 800‑meter run.
• Westfield will be testing its depth in the relay events, with a trio of athletes who made the state finals last year.
• St. Thomas Aquinas remains a threat with a full‑time coach who’s been at the helm for 12 seasons, having won three consecutive state titles.

The preview highlights that the state’s “big‑four” are not the only contenders; Plainfield, Morristown, and Montclair are emerging as dark horses, especially after recruiting a pair of standout middle‑distance athletes from the local high‑school circuit.

2. Rising Stars and Returning Prospects

At the heart of every high‑school season are the young athletes who can change the outcome of a meet in a single race. The article lists seven athletes who have been identified by the state’s talent‑spotting organization as “Top 25 High‑School Runners in New Jersey.” Among them:

The preview stresses that many of these athletes have already made the “All‑County” and “All‑State” lists, and that their upcoming competitions will be a key indicator of who will emerge as the state’s most dominant runner by the end of the season.

3. Coaching Changes and New Strategies

The indoor season is as much about tactics as it is about raw speed. Two notable coaching changes are highlighted in the article:

1. St. Thomas Aquinas has hired former NCAA assistant coach Chris McDonald, known for his innovative “wave‑out” start in the 400‑meter run that has given his teams a competitive edge in close races.
2. Ridgefield promoted Coach Angela Rivera from assistant to head coach. Rivera’s previous experience as a national cross‑country champion lends a strong endurance focus to Ridgefield’s program.

Both changes are expected to influence how the teams approach the preliminary heats and finals, especially in relay events where split times can decide the championship.

4. The 2025‑26 Schedule: What to Expect

The preview offers a comprehensive calendar of key meets:

• November 7 – Bergen County Invitational at Bergen County Tech, featuring the “Top 10” athletes from the region.
• December 2 – Northern New Jersey State Meet at the University of New Jersey’s indoor track, where the state’s elite teams will compete for the first title.
• December 16 – South Jersey Invitational at South Jersey Community College, known for a fast track that has produced record times in recent years.
• January 20 – State Championship in Newark, the final showdown for the coveted NJSIAA indoor track title.

The article also mentions a new “Mid‑Season Relay Challenge” that will be held on December 10 in a neutral venue, designed to test the depth of the relay teams across the state.

5. How to Follow the Action

To stay up to date, NJ.com’s sports team has linked to several external resources:

• NJSIAA official website for official meet results and athlete statistics.
• Track & Field News for expert commentary on training regimens and athlete health.
• The Daily Record for local news on upcoming meets and interviews with coaches.

The preview emphasizes that readers should regularly check these sites for updated times, tie‑breakers, and any weather‑related changes that may affect indoor meets.

6. Final Thoughts

The 2025‑26 indoor track season promises to be a blend of familiar rivalries and new storylines. While the “big‑four” programs remain front‑and‑center, the emergence of new talent and strategic coaching changes indicates that the championship could go to any of the top‑ranked schools. Whether you’re a student‑athlete, parent, or track enthusiast, the preview offers a detailed roadmap for the exciting road ahead.

For more detailed information, head over to NJ.com’s high‑school sports section and check the “2025‑26 Indoor Track Preview” article. Don’t forget to subscribe to their newsletter for real‑time updates as the season unfolds.