Celebrating the Future of Paralympic Athletics: USA Track & Field Announces 2026 Tier & Talent Protection Programs

INDIANAPOLIS – In an exciting development for the world of adaptive sports, USA Track & Field has announced its roster of athletes for the esteemed 2026 Tier and Talent Protection Programs. This announcement comes on the heels of a spectacular showing at the 2025 Para Athletics World Championships, where U.S. athletes captured an impressive 28 medals. This recognition not only highlights the current successes of American athletes but also sets the stage for promising future talent in the sport.

The Tier Program: A Showcase of Excellence

This year, the Tier Program features a distinguished group of 69 athletes, including 61 elite competitors and two guides. The roster is well-balanced, comprising 36 male athletes and 28 female athletes, many of whom recently shined at the world championships held in New Delhi, India, in September. Among them are all five reigning world champions and seven Paralympic champions from the Paris 2024 Games. The competitiveness of the Tier Program exemplifies the rigorous training and dedication these athletes put into their sport.

Spotlight on Jaydin Blackwell

A standout name in the announcement is Jaydin Blackwell from Oak Park, Michigan. As the top-ranked men’s T38 sprinter in the world, Blackwell’s career has soared since he burst onto the international scene in 2023. Boasting double gold medals in both the world championships and the Paralympics, he has claimed gold in the men’s 100m and 400m events, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the track and field arena.

Rising Stars: New Champions Emerge

Joining Blackwell on the elite roster are several world champions, including Arelle Middleton from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Joel Gomez from Encinitas, California. Their journey to success is remarkable, with both athletes earning their first world championships gold medals in 2025. Notable mentions also go to Michael Brannigan and Annie Carey, both of whom are making waves in their respective events. Brannigan, a four-time world champion in the men’s 1500m T20, defended his title successfully, while Carey is making every effort count as she steps into her role among the elite.

Paralympic Champions Honored

The 2026 Tier roster also includes seasoned Paralympic champions whose accolades speak for themselves. This group consists of Noah Malone, a six-time Paralympic medalist, Jeremy Campbell and Roderick Townsend, five-time medalists, along with four-time medalist Daniel Romanchuk. Their experience will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s dynamic, inspiring not only their peers but also younger athletes aspiring to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

Young Talent: The Next Generation

This year marks a significant milestone as six athletes make their first full-year appearances on the Tier team, highlighting the program’s commitment to nurturing young talent in adaptive sports. Among these promising athletes are teenagers Chloe Chavez from Panhandle, Texas, Violet Hall from Bloomington, Indiana, and Kerragan Johnson from Arlington, Texas. Their recent achievements in New Delhi signal a bright future for Para athletics.

In addition, the Talent Protection Program features up-and-coming wheelchair racers who are currently sharpening their skills in collegiate athletics. Athletes Evan Correll from Waukee, Iowa, Aidan Gravelle from Vernon Center, Minnesota, and Chelsea Stein from Spring, Texas, bring fresh energy to the program. Their participation exemplifies the potential for growth and success in the sport as they compete at the University of Illinois and the University of Arizona.

A Vision for the Future

The Tier and Talent Protection Programs by USA Track & Field aim not only to honor existing champions but also to invest in the future of the sport. This commitment ensures that emerging athletes receive the attention, resources, and opportunities necessary to excel on the global stage. The 2026 lineup encapsulates a blend of established talent and budding sportspeople, promising exciting narratives in the world of Paralympic athletics.

Complete Roster Overview

For those interested in the complete list of athletes selected for the 2026 Tier Athlete Program, here is a comprehensive overview:

Women:

• Sydney Barta (Arlington, Virginia)
• Kaitlin Bounds (Russellville, Arkansas)
• Annie Carey (Boise, Idaho)
• Chloe Chavez (Panhandle, Texas)
• Breanna Clark (Los Angeles, California)
• Liza Corso (Newmarket, New Hampshire)
• Kym Crosby (Yuba City, California)
• Hannah Dederick (Mead, Washington)
• Alicia Guerrero (Wapato, Washington)
• Violet Hall (Bloomington, Indiana)
• Beatriz Hatz (Lakewood, Colorado)
• Jessica Heims (Swisher, Iowa)
• Samantha Heyison (Adamstown, Maryland)
• Yen Hoang (Vancouver, Washington)
• Eva Houston (Omaha, Nebraska)
• Kerragan Johnson (Arlington, Texas)
• Erin Kerkhoff (Coralville, Iowa)
• Noelle Lambert-Beirne (Manchester, New Hampshire)
• Noelle Malkamaki (Decatur, Illinois)
• Lindi Marcusen (Spokane, Washington)
• Brittni Mason (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Tatyana McFadden (Baltimore, Maryland)
• Arelle Middleton (Rancho Cucamonga, California)
• Cassie Mitchell (Warner, Oklahoma)
• Jaleen Roberts (Kent, Washington)
• Susannah Scaroni (Tekoa, Washington)
• Chelsea Stein (Spring, Texas)
• Taylor Swanson (Spokane, Washington)

Men:

• Korban Best (Southlake, Texas)
• Jaydin Blackwell (Oak Park, Michigan)
• David Blair (Eagle Mountain, Utah)
• Michael Brannigan (Northport, New York)
• Jeremy Campbell (Perryton, Texas)
• Josh Cinnamo (San Diego, California)
• Evan Correll (Waukee, Iowa)
• Ezra Frech (Los Angeles, California)
• Joel Gomez (Encinitas, California)
• Jonathan Gore (Fayetteville, West Virginia)
• Aidan Gravelle (Vernon Center, Minnesota)
• Devin Huhta (Battle Mountain, Nevada)
• Robert Hunt (Spokane, Washington)
• Desmond Jackson (Durham, North Carolina)
• Isaac Jean-Paul (Grayslake, Illinois)
• Miguel Jimenez-Vergara (Lawrenceville, New Jersey)
• Hagan Landry (Delcambre, Louisiana)
• Blake Leeper (Kingsport, Tennessee)
• Derek Loccident (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
• Noah Malone (Fishers, Indiana)
• Nick Mayhugh (Manassas, Virginia)
• Ryan Medrano (El Paso, Texas)
• Leo Merle (Folsom, California)
• Trenten Merrill (San Juan Capistrano, California)
• Aaron Pike (Park Rapids, Minnesota)
• Isaiah Rigo (Cheney, Washington)
• Max Rohn (Fallbrook, California)
• Daniel Romanchuk (Mount Airy, Maryland)
• Brian Siemann (Champaign, Illinois)
• Roderick Townsend (Stockton, California)
• Jarryd Wallace (Athens, Georgia)
• Dallas Wise (Columbia, South Carolina)
• Hunter Woodhall (Syracuse, Utah)

Guides:

• Jerome Avery (Lemoore, California)
• Je’Von Hutchison (Boynton Beach, Florida)

Talent Protection Program:

• Michael Anwar (Spokane, Washington)
• Femita Ayanbeku (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Michelle Cross (Mission Viejo, California)
• Beth Grauer (Hoisington, Kansas)
• Sayers Grooms (Gainesville, Florida)
• Catarina Guimaraes (Cranford, New Jersey)
• Tahmar Upshaw (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
• Marshall Zackery (Ocala, Florida)

This roster underscores the incredible potential and resilience that define Paralympic athletes in the U.S., cultivating excitement for the races and events yet to come.