Phoenix Youth Track Club and SoSwift Athletics collaborate to Transform Youth Track in Arizona

In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the landscape of youth athletics in Arizona, two powerhouse clubs Phoenix Youth Track Club (PYTC) and SoSwift Athletics have joined forces to create a unified, dynamic program centered around true athlete development. With a shared passion for developing the region’s best runners, jumpers, and sprinters, the merger promises to offer a transformative experience for kids aged 9-18. This collaboration is not just about combining forces, it's about nurturing the next generation of athletes in ways that go far beyond the track.

For years, PYTC and SoSwift Athletics have earned recognition for their individual successes, including standout athletes like PYTC's Annaleise Taylor. In 2024, Taylor claimed the 300m hurdle state championship and was named Gatorade Player of the Year. PYTC, founded in 2022 by head coach Jarret Eaton, has focused on high school athletes, guiding them to collegiate-level performance through specialized programs in strength and conditioning, winter track, and summer track. Eaton, a decorated world-class hurdler, is currently the Head Track and Field Coach at Xavier College Prep and serves as an assistant coach at Brophy College Prep.

SoSwift Athletics, founded in 2019 by the visionary Tawnie Martin, has emerged as a beacon for youth runners in the USATF AZ league, offering opportunities for athletes aged 6 to 18. Under Martin's leadership, the club has sent 12 athletes to nationals in individual events. Martin also serves as the Head Track and Field Coach at Sunnyslope High School and as Co-Youth Chair for USATF AZ.

This collaboration represents a convergence of strengths. SoSwift Athletics, renowned for its deep community roots and ability to foster talent among younger athletes, will now zero in on youth ages 9-14, while PYTC expands its reach by focusing on the older age group. Together, the clubs are poised to build a sustainable pipeline of talent one that could reshape the competitive landscape in the region.

“We believe this collaboration allows us to amplify what we do best: helping young athletes believe in themselves and in their potential,” says Eaton, PYTC's head coach and architect of the merger. "By combining our resources and expertise, we’re creating a new standard for youth track and field in Arizona, and we are excited to make a lasting impact."

A Shared Vision
The seeds of this collaboration were planted in the mutual recognition of untapped potential. As the youth track scene in Phoenix and Scottsdale grew, both clubs saw a gap in the services available to pre-teen and early teenage athletes. While there are several strong programs for high schoolers, the resources for athletes under 14 were limited. PYTC and SoSwift Athletics felt the same calling: to fill this gap by offering a competitive, structured environment for kids just beginning to explore the world of competitive track and field.

Eaton’s vision for PYTC has always been driven by a holistic view and a philosophy of commitment, service, and teamwork . "Our mission is to create a dedicated team of athletes who are not only committed to improving themselves but also to each other, and we believe encompassing a holistic view plays a large part in that journey," he says. “With SoSwift, we saw a collaboration that shared these values—creating an environment where young athletes can flourish not just in sport, but in life.”

The timing couldn’t be better. With the recent restructuring of SoSwift to focus on 9-14-year-olds, the merger will offer a seamless pathway for young athletes to transition from beginner to elite under one united banner. PYTC's proven ability to help athletes progress into college programs, combined with SoSwift's expertise in nurturing grassroots talent, makes this collaboration a force to be reckoned with.

Building a Powerhouse Program
The combined club will cater to athletes aged 9-18 in its inaugural season, which kicks off November 4th, 2024. With a coaching roster that includes Olympians, national champions, and veteran mentors with decades of experience, the program will offer world-class training right in the heart of Arizona. Coaches like Sue Humphrey, an Olympic coach with 50 years of expertise in jumps, and Cravon Gillespie, a World Champion sprinter, are just some of the talents guiding the athletes.

This coaching team is unparalleled in the state, with a depth of knowledge that spans all aspects of track and field. From sprints, distance and hurdles to jumps and throws, the program will offer specialized coaching to ensure that each athlete receives personalized attention in their area of interest.

“It’s not just about winning medals, it’s about helping kids discover their passion, build resilience, and find joy in the process,” says Martin. "We’re here to cultivate an environment where kids feel supported, driven, and excited to come to practice every day."

A Community on the Rise
This merger is more than just a sports story, it’s about community building in a region that has long needed a unified youth athletics program. In an area where the competitive landscape has been dominated by a few larger clubs, PYTC and SoSwift see an opportunity to make the sport more accessible and more focused on individual athlete development.

“Our goal isn’t just to build a team. It’s to create a family where every kid, no matter their starting point, has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” says Eaton. “We want to become the heartbeat of youth track and field in Phoenix, and ultimately, to be the club that others look to as a model.”

In merging, the two clubs aren’t just filling a gap in Arizona’s youth sports scene, they are creating a blueprint for how collaboration and shared vision can uplift an entire community of athletes. With their eyes set on becoming a powerhouse both locally and beyond, this collaboration could mark the beginning of a new era in youth athletics.

For families in Phoenix and Scottsdale, the message is clear, something special is happening in their backyard, and the doors are open for young athletes to join a movement that is rooted in excellence, community, and the development of the student athlete.