Aptos native Nikki Hiltz, ranked No. 4 in the world in the 1,500 meters, took first place in the Wanamaker Mile at the 118th Millrose Games, held at Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York on Sunday.
Hiltz, 31, an Aptos native who was recently chosen for induction into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame, finished in a world leading and personal-best 4 minutes, 19.64 seconds.
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz celebrates after taking first place in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games, held at Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
Hiltz, who identifies as transgender and non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, was a first-time winner at the event. They, sponsored by lululemon, took to the track wearing a pink one-piece speed suit and neon orange racing spikes.
Hiltz made sure their bright racing kit was worthy of the fans’ attention. After competing at the event more than a half dozen times, they finally secured a win.
“This is like my seventh or eighth Millrose Games,” said Hiltz, in a post-race interview with NBC Sports. “This is one of those bucket-list things. You, obviously, want to medal at the Olympics or Worlds, but I want to win the Wanamaker Mile. As a miler, I did it. And that last lap was like a celebration.”
Winner of eight straight U.S. titles, Hiltz, a 2024 Paris Olympian, ran second to the pace setter Mckenna Keegan on the outside before settling in behind American Sinclaire Johnson and ahead of Australian Jessica Hull, the silver medalist in Paris, when Hiltz and Hull merged with the pack on the opening lap.
American Gracie Morris quickly surged into second and settled in behind Johnson, dropping Hiltz to third. Hull moved into second behind Johnson and ahead of Hiltz as Morris dropped back on the second lap.
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz, from left, challenges for the lead against Australian Jessica Hull and American Sinclaire Johnson in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
At the midway point of the race, Hiltz made a massive surge to gain the lead and Hull proved up to task and remained in a close second, as Johnson dropped back. It was a two-runner race down the home stretch as Hull remained on Hiltz’s heels, but never pulled even. Hiltz made sure of that after finding yet another gear.
Hiltz gained separation over the final 30 meters. After crossing the finish line, Hiltz clapped and celebrated by giving high-fives to fans seated on the edge of one of the banked turns, before egging the crowd on to cheer even more. Hiltz formed a heart with their hands and blew a kiss to the adoring crowd before getting flowers and the massive winner’s trophy placed in their hands.
Hull finished second in 4:20.11, and Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska took third in 4:21.36.
Six Americans were part of the 11-runner field, but Hiltz was the lone U.S. runner in the top five. Australian Linden Hall took fourth in a personal-best 4:21.45, and Kenya’s Susan Ejore-Sanders was fifth in 4:22.23.
Morris finished ninth in a personal-best 4:23.83. Johnson, who overtook Hiltz as the American mile record holder on July 19, 2025, took 10th in 4:24.55.
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz, from left, challenges for the lead against Australian Jessica Hull and American Sinclaire Johnson in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz celebrates after taking first place in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games, held at Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz celebrates after taking first place in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games, held at Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
Aptos native Nikki Hiltz wins the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games, held at Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
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Aptos native Nikki Hiltz, from left, challenges for the lead against Australian Jessica Hull and American Sinclaire Johnson in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2026 Millrose Games in New York on Sunday. (John Nepolitan – Armory Track)
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Men’s volleyball
UC Santa Cruz 3, St. Norbert 0: The No. 7 nationally ranked Banana Slugs rebounded from their first loss of the season with a sweep of the Knights in Berea, Ohio, on Sunday.
Kyle Ownbey made 10 kills and three blocks, and UCSC (7-1) rolled to a 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 victory.
Riley Norman had nine kills, seven digs, five assists, and two blocks for the Banana Slugs, who earned their second sweep on the young season. Evan Erickson had nine kills, four digs, and two blocks.
Logan Taylor made 25 assists and four digs. Caio Valente chipped in with eight assists.
Junior right side Wade La Blanc made five kills to lead the Knights (1-3).
UCSC hosts D-II Menlo (0-4) on Saturday at 5 p.m. It’ll be the teams’ second meeting. The Banana Slugs earned a five-set win over the Oaks to open their season Jan. 10.
Men’s basketball
At Mary Washington 93, UCSC 63: Ben Lim scored a team-high 16 points and added four rebounds and three assists, but the Banana Slugs lost to the No. 3 Eagles in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Sunday.
Joseph Espy had 14 points and four rebounds for the Banana Slugs (13-9), who shot 44.7% (21 of 47) from the field. Thomas Conley had 10 points and four rebounds.
UCSC committed 18 turnovers to the Eagles’ five. Mary Washington scored 26 points off turnovers.
Sophomore guard Kye Robinson tied a career high with 38 points and broke the Eagles’ single-game shooting percentage mark by going 15 of 17 from the field. Ulysses Young and Jadon Burgess each scored 12 points for the Eagles (18-1), who led 54-37 at the half.
UCSC hosts Cal Maritime (7-10) at KP Arena in Santa Cruz on Feb 14 at 6 p.m.
Reporting Scores
Coaches are encouraged to report scores and highlights to sports@santacruzsentinel.com following games. Please include your name and contact number in the email.