The Nike Outdoor Nationals annually provide a preview of elite middle and high school runners who are bound to compete at Hayward Field again in college. That label takes on a different meaning for Oregon commit Ellery Lincoln, who will call TrackTown home next Fall. Lincoln will garner extra attention in front of her future home fans, but she leads an exciting women’s field into the 2026 event, which begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Ellery Lincoln

Lincoln is less than a month removed from a triumphant weekend at Hayward Field, in which she took home state championships at 1500 and 3000 meters competing for Lincoln High School. Lincoln’s junior season set a high bar for her final high school season, as she posted the top times in Oregon over 800m (2:05.21), 1500m (4:09.13) and 3000m (9:06.61). 

The Nike Outdoor Nationals will provide a look into the Ducks future, and Lincoln’s familiarity with Hayward Field will be a significant advantage this weekend.

Natalie Dumas

University of Arkansas commit Natalie Dumas finished her New Jersey high school season with state championships at 400m, 800m and the 400-meter hurdles. The Eastern Senior High School graduate is no stranger to national competitions, having won her first national event as a sophomore in the SMR 1600m at the Adidas Track Nationals. She has since won seven national events between the Adidas Track Nationals, New Balance Nationals Outdoor and Adidas Indoor Nationals, setting her up for a successful weekend in Eugene.

Mia and Mariah Maxwell

Before sisters Mia and Mariah Maxwell compete together for the University of Texas at Austin, they will contend for victories in the sprints at Hayward Field this weekend. 

After three years of winning every event n at 100m and 200m in Texas High School Track for Atascocita High School, the Maxwells spent the 2026 season with club program APXP. Mia took first over 200m at the Clyde Hart Classic and 100m at the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix, while Mariah did the same over 200m at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and 100m at the TSU Relays. 

The sisters are bound for attention-grabbing college careers and more appearances at Hayward Field, but they will first focus on the Nike Outdoor Nationals.