Over 1,000 RCSD students participate in expanded multi-day Nick Zona track meet showcasing schoolwide athletic talent across Rochester

Rochester, New York – More than 1,000 young athletes from across the Rochester City School District came together this spring for one of the district’s longest-running traditions, the annual Nick Zona Track Meet. Spread across multiple days in late May and early June, the event once again turned Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Charlotte into a busy hub of running shoes, cheering teammates, and school pride.

The meet took place on Tuesday, May 26, and continued on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with a final day scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. Each session brought a new wave of students, allowing different groups from across the district to take part while keeping the energy fresh and focused. In total, students in grades 3 through 6 from 27 elementary schools are participating this year.

For many of these young competitors, it is their first real introduction to organized track and field events beyond their own schoolyards. The meet includes a wide mix of activities, from the long jump and high jump to sprint events like the 50-meter dash and 200-meter run. Students also take part in the 4 x 100 relay and a softball throw, which often draws loud reactions from teammates and spectators alike.

One of the most meaningful parts of the event is its commitment to inclusion. This year’s program again featured a special adaptive 100-meter dash, with four student-athletes competing in wheelchairs. While adaptive events have been part of the meet for years, organizers continue to highlight them as an important piece of the tradition, ensuring that all students have the chance to participate in a supportive and welcoming environment.

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“This is just a great experience for the students to engage with other schools, compete individually, and also as a team if they’re part of a relay,” said Camaron Johnson, Executive Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics for the RCSD. “And just get exposure to being in track and field events.”

Beyond the competition itself, the meet is designed to build connection between schools. Students who may never have met before find themselves running side by side, cheering for each other, and learning how teamwork extends beyond classroom walls. For teachers and staff, it is also a chance to see students in a different light, often discovering hidden talent or unexpected confidence on the track.

The event carries a deeper meaning that goes far beyond medals or finish times. It is held in honor of Nick Zona, a former Rochester City School District Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, as well as a past Section V President. Zona is remembered as one of the region’s most respected athletic leaders, with a long history in coaching and sports administration.

During his career, Zona built a reputation not only as a strong football coach but also as a leader who deeply valued student development through athletics. He served as Section V president from 1962 to 1965 and spent much of his professional life supporting young athletes across Rochester. His influence continues to shape the district’s athletic culture decades later.

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Now more than 40 years old, the Nick Zona Track Meet remains a fixture in the RCSD calendar. Each year, it brings together thousands of students, coaches, and staff who share a common goal: to celebrate effort, participation, and school spirit in its simplest form.

As the final day of competition approaches, excitement is still building. For many students, it is not just about running faster or jumping farther, but about being part of something larger than themselves—a tradition that continues to grow while staying rooted in its original purpose of honoring a man who dedicated his life to student athletics.