Jones advances to U-20 World Championships
June 20, 2026 | Men's Track & Field
Freshman takes second at U.S. under-20 championships in decathlon
EUGENE, Ore. – Wisconsin men's track and field freshman Darius Jones II took second in the decathlon at the 2026 U.S. Under-20 Track and Field Championships to qualify for the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships next month.
Jones II posted a score of 7,547 points to finish second at the national championship meet at Hayward Field.
The Tallahassee, Florida, native won the decathlon shot put on the first day of the competition with a heave of 49 feet, 9 ½ inches (14.87 meters) while he was second in the decathlon 110 hurdles in 13.97 seconds on the second day of competition.
Jones II will make his return to Eugene in August for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, which will take place Aug. 5-9 at Hayward Field.
In the men's 800 meters, freshman Henry Risser earned bronze 1 minute, 48.80 seconds, narrowly missing second place which would have also qualified him for the World Under-20 Championships.
Freshman Ryan Severson earned a top-five finish in the 1500 meters, clocking in at 3:52.93.
A pair of future Badgers also earned runner-up finishes at the U.S. under-20 meet. Incoming freshman Charles Sullivan was second in the hammer throw with a heave of 222-1 (67.70m) while fellow incoming freshman Grady Lenn was runner-up in the 3000 meters in 8:34.58.
U.S. Under-20 Outdoor Track and Field Championships
June 18-19, 2026
Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.
Men's 800 Meters (Prelims)
2. Henry Risser - 1:49.51 Q
Men's 800 Meters (Finals)
3. Henry Risser - 1:48.80
Men's 1500 Meters (Final)
5. Ryan Severson - 3:52.93
Men's 3000 Meters (Final)
2. Grady Lenn - 8:34.58
Men's Hammer Throw
2. Charles Sullivan - 222-1 (67.70m)
Men's Decathlon
2. Darius Jones II - 7,547 points
Decathlon 100 Meters
5. Darius Jones II - 10.89
Decathlon Long Jump
9. Darius Jones II - 22-10 (6.96 meters)
Decathlon Shot Put
1. Darius Jones II - 49-9 ½ (14.87 meters)
Decathlon High Jump
8. Darius Jones II - 6-6 3/4 (2.00m)
Decathlon 400 Meters
15. Darius Jones II - 51.16
Decathlon 110 Hurdles
2. Darius Jones II - 13.97
Decathlon Discus
7. Darius Jones II - 132-0 (40.24m)
Decathlon Pole Vault
4. Darius Jones II - 14-5 1/4 (4.40m)
Decathlon Javelin
11. Darius Jones II - 153-4 (46.74m)
Decathlon 1500 Meters
13. Darius Jones II - 4:54.39
