Diocesan CYO Track & Field

Bethlehem, PA - May 7, 2026: Persistent rain and cool temperatures did little to slow the athletes that gathered Saturday morning at Notre Dame Green Pond High School for the 2026 Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Diocesan Track and Field Championship.

Competing were fifteen schools from across the Diocese's five counties. Athletes competed in nine events that tested both speed and endurance.

At the conclusion of the meet, uniforms were soaked, shoes were splattered with mud, and umbrellas lined the edge of the track. Still, the competition carried on.

The meet featured events ranging from distance races and relays, to javelin and shot put. The middle school athletes, 6th through 8th graders, represented schools throughout the region.

Among the most closely watched events were the 100-meter qualifying heats held earlier in the day. The prelims determined the finalists for the highly anticipated last race of the day.

As the rain continued throughout the meet, the races continued on schedule. The feature race (100 meter dash) brought athletes and spectators to the edge of the track.

The sprinters exploded from the starting line on a slick surface while teammates cheered.

“It was one of those days where every athlete had to push through adversity,” said one CYO coach after the meet.

Another coach commented: “The conditions were difficult, but the effort never dropped. The most memorable experiences are where our teams push thru adversity."

When the final scores were calculated, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (OLPH), Bethlehem, PA, finished at the top of the team standings. They earned the Diocesan Championship trophy among the fifteen teams that competed.

For the organizers and volunteers, the meet represented more than results or medals.

The Annual CYO Championship remains one of the largest athletic events in the Diocese, bringing together students, coaches and families from multiple communities for a shared day of competition.

Despite the dreary conditions, the atmosphere rarely lost its energy.

Athletes huddled beneath team tents between events, parents remained throughout the day, and volunteers worked continuously to keep events moving on schedule. A huge "thank you" to all the volunteers.

At the end of the day, the rain was not the story. The talk was the resilience displayed by all.

For many athletes, the memories of the championship will not center on the weather conditions, but on the experience of competing alongside teammates on one of the biggest stages of the CYO season.

Over the years, many CYO alumni have gone on to achieve success at the high school

and collegiate levels, including recent champions in district, state, and conference

competitions. These are the future track and field stars.

CYO Track and Field is open to all parish children in good standing. To join a parish team near you for the 2027 season, please contact Dave Hohl at hohlhouse@gmail.com. Dave Hohl contributed this story for KSE.

Please visit the Keystone Sports Extra Instagram page @keystonesportsextra for additional photos from this event.

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Runners compete in the 100 meter dash final at the CYO Diocesan Championship on May 9, 2026 at Notre Dame Green Pond High School in Bethlehem, PA.