EUGENE, Ore. - Cal Poly Pomona men's track & field student-athletes Khalil Watson and Micah Chandler competed against many of the nation's top under-20 athletes at the 2026 USATF U20 Championships, held June 18-22 at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
 
Watson represented the Broncos in the men's 400-meter dash, while Chandler competed unattached in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
 
A freshman during the 2026 outdoor season, Watson qualified for the U20 championship meet following a strong collegiate debut and lined up against one of the deepest fields in the country. He posted a time of 48.81 seconds in the preliminary round to finish 25th overall among the nation's top U20 quarter-milers.
 
Chandler, who competed unattached, earned a place in the championship field of the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase and finished 12th overall in 9:41.49. The race featured a highly competitive field that included athletes from Duke, Wichita State, Vanderbilt, Georgetown and several other NCAA Division I programs.
 
The USATF U20 Championships serve as the nation's premier championship event for athletes under the age of 20 and feature many of the country's top collegiate, club and unattached competitors. The meet is part of the selection process for future international competitions and provides emerging athletes an opportunity to compete on one of track and field's most renowned stages.
 
Watson and Chandler's appearances at Hayward Field add to Cal Poly Pomona's growing presence on the national stage and provide valuable experience against elite competition as both athletes look to make an impact headed into the 2027 season.