ARCADIA, Calif. — National-caliber relay performances and a record-breaking sprint headline defined the 2026 Arcadia Invitational, as elite high school athletes delivered standout marks across two days of competition April 10–11 at Arcadia High School Stadium.
Under the lights Saturday night, the meet’s premier events showcased some of the fastest times in the country this season, including a loaded boys 4×400-meter relay that brought the crowd to its feet in the final event of the meet. Bullis School Track and Field emerged as the top performer, clocking a winning time of 3 minutes, 9.14 seconds behind a strong quartet of Homer Elliott, Newton, and Wilson, separating themselves in a deep, national field.
Long Beach Polytechnic High School Track and Field followed with a 3:12.53 finish, while Loyola High School Track and Field secured third in 3:14.64, giving local fans a podium performance to cheer. Canyon Country (3:15.61), Wilson of Long Beach (3:16.05), Thousand Oaks (3:17.59), and Mountain View (3:26.51) rounded out a stacked final that emphasized the meet’s national depth.
“We knew this field was loaded, so it came down to execution and staying composed,” a Bullis relay runner said. “To come out on top here against this level of competition is huge for us.”
Earlier in the meet, Servite High School Track and Field electrified the stadium with a record-breaking performance in the boys 4×100-meter relay. The quartet of Jace Wells[10], Jorden Wells[10], Kamil Pelovello[10], Benjamin Harris[11] delivered near-perfect baton exchanges and elite top-end speed to set a new meet record, one of the signature moments of the weekend and a mark that places them among the fastest teams in the nation this year.
The invitational’s unique format once again separated rising talent and elite competition. Daytime sessions featured underclassmen and developing athletes, many of whom posted personal-best performances and gained valuable experience on one of the sport’s biggest high school stages. As night fell, the spotlight shifted to invitational sections, where nationally ranked athletes competed in front of packed grandstands.
Distance races under the lights added to the drama, with tightly contested finishes in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Strategic pacing and powerful closing kicks defined those events, reinforcing Arcadia’s reputation as a distance-running showcase.
An added highlight came from an Olympian Quincy Wilson competing in both the 400 meters and the 4×400 relay, delivering a smooth, commanding performance that drew one of the loudest ovations of the weekend. The appearance provided a rare opportunity for high school athletes to witness world-class execution up close.
“This meet brings together every level of the sport — from future stars to Olympians,” a meet official said. “It creates an environment where great performances are expected, and this year absolutely delivered.”
Local programs, particularly Loyola, fed off the home crowd energy, with their third-place relay finish standing out as one of the top performances among Southern California teams.
From Servite’s record-breaking speed to Bullis’ dominant 4×400 victory and a lineup filled with national contenders, the Arcadia Invitational once again proved why it remains one of the premier meets in high school track and field — a stage where emerging talent and elite performance intersect under the brightest lights.
