Additional Preseason Articles
The 2026 indoor track and field season is set to be one of the strongest yet for Texas girls sprinting, with national contenders, state record holders, and elite depth returning across all three sprint events. From the explosive acceleration of the 60 meters to the strength and poise required in the 400, Texas once again finds itself at the center of the national conversation.
We only scratch the surface here, but here are some of the top indoor performers from the 2025 indoor season.
60 Meters
The headline name entering the indoor season is Mia Maxwell, who established herself as one of the premier short sprinters in the country last winter. The senior clocked a season-best 7.24 at the Millrose Games, stacked five races under 7.40, and finished fourth at Nike Indoor Nationals in 7.30, making her the third-best returner nationally from 2025.
That momentum carried seamlessly outdoors, where Maxwell authored one of the greatest seasons in Texas history, highlighted by her 11.04 Texas state record at the UIL championships and wins at both the Brooks PR Invitational and Nike Outdoor Nationals. While the national indoor record of 7.13 still stands, Maxwell enters 2026 as a legitimate factor in every major race.
Close behind her is twin sister Mariah Maxwell, who ran 7.30 to finish third at Nike Indoor Nationals and ranks as the fifth-best national returner. Outdoors, Mariah proved her elite consistency with an 11.28 at Brooks PR, again trailing only Mia.
The Texas depth continues with Caitlyn Cavitt (7.43), Lily Pierrot (7.48), Angel Brefo (7.52), and Saniyah Miller (7.56), all capable of making finals at major meets. One new name to watch is Parker Coes, a DMV transplant from powerhouse Bullis who ran 7.57 to finish runner-up in the freshman race at New Balance Nationals Indoor and brings elite speed and long jump ability into her first Texas season.
200 Meters
Many of the same stars return in the 200, where Texas boasts rare national-level firepower. Mia Maxwell enters as the No. 2 national returner after her 23.27 indoors and an outstanding outdoor best of 23.10 to win the USATF U20 title. Mariah Maxwell again follows closely, ranked fifth nationally indoors at 23.34 before unleashing a 22.93 at the UIL state meet, the fourth-fastest performance in Texas history.
Another name poised for a breakout indoor season is McKenzi Roberson, the UIL 6A outdoor runner-up whose 22.96 ranks No. 5 all-time in Texas. Roberson competes across all sprint events and enters indoors with solid marks that suggest significant upside, including a 24.25 for third at the Texas High School Indoor Championship.
Brooke Lloyd is equally dangerous, bringing a 23.64 indoor best and championship pedigree that translates well to the curve-heavy indoor track. Cavitt (24.10), Brefo (24.13), and Saniyah Miller, who ran 23.09 outdoors, add more depth, while outdoor standouts Jaden Small and Evah Elleby both ran 23.20 last spring and could become immediate indoor factors.
400 Meters
The quarter-mile is headlined by one of the most complete athletes in the country: Brooke Lloyd. Lloyd enters the indoor season as the reigning Nike Indoor Nationals champion after running 52.96, and she backed that up with an extraordinary outdoor campaign that included six races in the 52-second range, a 52.23 Texas No. 4 all-time mark, and state and Nike Outdoor National titles. She will be the clear favorite indoors, but she won't be unchallenged indoors.
Ashtyn Lewis enters after running 53.96 indoors and translating that into a 52.75 outdoor performance, making her one of the top returners nationally. Milan Lathan shows up again, and Cailey Duren returns with mid-55 indoor marks and significant outdoor improvement, while Angel Brefo, already a factor in the 60 and 200, adds another layer of intrigue after her 52.85 outdoor state championship run. Maya Wafford also returns after a 53.81 outdoor performance that suggests indoor contention.
Across all three sprint events, the 2026 Texas girls indoor season blends proven champions, historic performances, and emerging stars, setting the stage for fast times, national relevance, and another winter where Texas sprinting defines the standard. It is seldom to get the type of 2025 season we saw, but even less likely for the list of stars to return for a follow-up season.