American track and field athletes Chase Jackson, Trey Cunningham, Isaiah Rogers, and Megahn Hunter chatted with this journalist after their events at the 2026 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships.
They were held on February 28th and March 1st at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York.
Chase Jackson
Jackson won the gold medal in the women’s shot put with 20.44 meters, and in doing so, she broke a new American record.
On the greatest lesson that track and field has taught her, Jackson said with a sweet laugh, “Pain and suffering.”
“Being an individual athlete and being a part of a team is a great thing to be a part of,” Jackson said.
“You are able to both be self-sufficient and have a team rely on you, so that is cool, and I think it has made me a better athlete too,” she added.
Meghan Hunter
Hunter finished in third place in the women’s 800 meter final with a time of 2:00.03, earning a bronze medal.
For young and aspiring track and field athletes, Hunter said, “Progress isn’t linear. You are going to have a lot of downs, and that doesn’t mean that all the progress you’ve made before is lost.”
Hunter continued, “I’ve had a lot of times through my career, where I’ve been improving and things are looking good, and then I would have a big dip.”
“I would kind of feel like my world is over, when in reality, I still made a lot of progress. So, just keep fighting even when things are hard,” she added.
Regarding her definition of the word success, Hunter said, “Success is being more focused on the process than the outcome, and that honestly, has taught me so much. For me, success is executing the race plan confidently.
“So, success is putting my best self out there regardless of the outcome,” she added.
Trey Cunningham
Cunningham won the silver medal in the men’s 60 meters hurdles race with a time of 7.40 seconds.
On the lesson he learned from this competition, Cunningham responded, “People are fast! I am just as fast even on an okay race.”
When asked by this journalist what the greatest lesson that track and field has taught him, he remarked, “I think it’s ironic. My race is a great metaphor for life.”
“There are hurdles in the way, and you’ve got to get over them regardless, and clear them the best way you can to get to the finish line,” he acknowledged.
Isaiah Rogers
Rogers won first place in the men’s weight throw competition with 23.41 meters, claiming the gold medal.
For hopefuls that wish to go into the weight throw, Rogers said, “Don’t get bullied. It’s a 35 pound implement but most human beings can really find a flow with that ball as long as you give it the respect but don’t let it bully you. Just be in the middle and hold your ground against it. Don’t give in.”
On his definition of success, Rogers said, “Success means inspiring somebody who I’ve never met before. Being able to go up to somebody and they know my name —not that my name matters — but that my story incites them and makes them search for something within themselves.”
“I’m not the most talented athlete, I wasn’t the best gifted athlete… I was more of an eater than an athlete, but I found my rhythm and I found my flow,” he admitted.
“I train really hard, and I hope that the next generation of athletes that come through see what I can do and say, ‘I can do better’,” Rogers concluded.
Please Note: This journalist was on-site as a credentialed member of the press, and covered the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in-person.
