SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI) — More than 60 young athletes from La Mesa’s USA Rockets track and field club have qualified for the 2026 USATF National Junior Olympic Games, one of the nation’s premier youth track and field competitions.
The achievement comes after months of training, dedication and competition, earning the athletes the opportunity to represent their community on the national stage.
The milestone is especially meaningful for the club, which has seen tremendous growth over the past year. USA Rockets founder and head coach Sallie Henry called this season historic. In 2025, the club sent 38 athletes to the Junior Olympics, with 29 bringing home medals. This year, the number of national qualifiers has nearly doubled, highlighting the program’s continued success and commitment to developing young athletes…