Athletics New Zealand is pleased to confirm the final composition of the New Zealand team for the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships. Today’s announcement adds five athletes to the team, growing the contingent to our largest ever for these age-group global championships.
Mia de Jager joins the team in the women’s 400m. She is the reigning NZ U20 400m champion. She achieved the World U20 qualifying standard before lowering her personal best further to 54.07 in January 2026. A versatile athlete, she also competes over 200m and in the high jump, and has run for New Zealand in the mixed 4x400m relay.
Kate Hallie is an Auckland thrower who won the national U20 shot put title in 2024 and in 2025. She has personal bests of 14.65m in the shot put, and 51.89m in the discus, both set this year. She is now competing on a scholarship at Miami University in the United States.
Caitlin Kirk joins the team in the 3000m steeplechase, with a personal best of 10:27.20 from April of this year. From the central Hawke’s Bay and is currently attending Massey University in Palmerston North, pursuing a bachelor of Sport and Exercise.
Hunter Scott earns selection in the men’s 400m. Scott is a Christchurch sprinter who has held national age-group titles across the 100m, 200m and 400m. He ran a 400m personal best of 47.13 in Brisbane in April 2026.
Hamish Murray joins the team in the men’s 1500m. Murray has been racing with Eastern Kentucky University in the USA over the past year, during which he lowered his 1500m PB to 3:46.80 at the Wake Forest Invitational.
Sam Ruthe has made the decision to withdraw from the team to focus on a comprehensive return-to-performance programme following his earlier injury, which also ruled him out of Commonwealth Games selection consideration. The timeframe to be fully race-ready for the U20 Championships was always going to be challenging and carried some additional risk to achieving a complete and sustainable return. Sam is prioritising his long-term development and is excited to continue building a strong winter foundation over the coming months. He has also withdrawn from consideration for the World Athletics Road Running team scheduled for September, with his focus firmly on returning stronger and building throughout winter to the NZ Summer.
Congratulations to the newly selected athletes, and the entire 19-strong team selected to compete in Eugene. The Championships will be held at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon from 5–9 August 2026.
New Selections
Mia de Jager – 200m & 400m Coach: Criss Strange
Kate Hallie – Shot Put and Discus Coach: Ryan Smith
Caitlin Kirk – 3000m Steeplechase Coach: Richard Potts
Hunter Scott – 400m Coach: Adam Blake
Hamish Murray – 1500m Coach: Mia Forster
Non-Travelling Reserves
Melelosaline Lose – Discus Coach: John Eden
Phoebe Laker – 400m Coach: Michael Beable
Previously Selected Athletes
Kendra Scally-Tu’i – 100m & 200m Coach: Gary Henley-Smith
Madeleine Waddell – 400m Coach: Sonia Waddell
Boh Ritchie – 800m Coach: Ryan Foster
Poppy Healy – 800m Coach: Matt Rowe
Zara Pomfret – 1500m Coach: Graeme Holden
Scarlett Robb – 1500m & 3000m Coach: Graeme Holden
Nina Chalmers – 3000m Coach: Phil Clode
Bronwen Rees-Jones – 3000m Steeplechase Coach: Steve Rees-Jones
Karmen Maritz – Shot Put & Discus Coach: Mike Schofield
Manaia Christiansen – Shot Put Coach: John Eden
Austin McDougall – Shot Put & Discus Coach: Mike Schofield
Joe Martin – 800m Coach: Ian Moini
Conall McLean – 800m Coach: Hamish Meacham
George Wyllie – 1500m Coach: Mia Forster