Facing a world-class international field and major mental hurdles, Piper Leazier and Miles Mead delivered standout performances both on the outdoor track and indoors at the 2026 Emerald Coast Challenge.
RESULTS: 2026 EMERALD COAST CHALLENGE
The 2026 Emerald Coast Challenge brought together some of the most elite talent in inline speed skating, featuring a highly competitive field that included multiple reigning world champions from Colombia. For SoFlo Performance, the weekend wasn't just a test of physical speed, but a massive showcase of mental toughness and resilience from both Piper Leazier and Miles Mead.
Piper Leazier: Overcoming the Past & Dominating Indoors 🥇
For Piper, stepping onto the outdoor track in Milton was a massive psychological victory. Having previously faced tough setbacks at this specific venue—including a past race that resulted in a concussion—this event was as much about conquering old hurdles as it was about racing. Piper rose to the occasion beautifully, shaking off the past to capture an incredibly encouraging 8th place finish in a stacked World Class Women’s division.
But she wasn't done yet. Moving to the indoor floor, Piper competed across two divisions. Having only recently returned to indoor training, she showed zero rust by completely dominating and winning the Senior Division overall. It was a massive mental win that sets a powerful, confident tone for the rest of her season.
Miles Mead: Podiums, PRs, and Cashing In 🥈
Miles put together a phenomenally strong, consistent showing all weekend long, proving he can contend with the absolute best in any setting. On the outdoor track, Miles went toe-to-toe with a fierce international lineup to secure a brilliant 4th place finish in the 1000m sprint.
When the action moved indoors, he put on a masterclass in versatility and endurance across multiple distances, ultimately placing 2nd overall for the meet. His indoor scorecard was nothing short of spectacular:
- 1500m – 1st Place
- 3000m – 2nd Place
- 500m – 3rd Place
- 5000m Open – 3rd Place
The Money Race: Closing It Out in Style 💰
To cap off an already unforgettable weekend, Miles lined up for the event's most prestigious showdown: the Money Race. Skating a tactical and explosive race against a hyper-competitive field, Miles crossed the line first to take the win and cash in on a well-deserved prize payout.
Proud Coach Moment 💥
Both skaters showed exactly what SoFlo Performance is about this weekend. Whether it was conquering past mental barriers or executing precise tactical moves against world champions, Piper and Miles laid down a spectacular foundation for the 2026 season.
Congratulations to both athletes for representing the team so proudly—the hard work is paying off!
