Kaedin Cote's secret to success may seem a little quirky, but it works.

"One funny thing about me is that I talk to myself before and during races," said the track and field athlete. "I hype myself up beforehand, and during the race I go through my cues and remind myself what I need to do at different points."

This positive self-talk is doing its job. Kaedin, an incoming sophomore at Donegal High School, delivered a standout performance at the USATF National Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held in late June in Huntsville, Ala.

​Competing for the Hershey Blaze Track Club, Kaedin captured All-American honors in two disciplines. He earned a podium finish on the track by placing eighth in the 15-to-16-year-old 400-meter dash. He also notched a third-place finish in the 15-to-16 boys' triple jump. At the USATF national level, the top eight finishers in each event earn All-American status.

"This was the first time I've competed at the outdoor USATF youth nationals," Kaedin said. "Last year I competed at New Balance outdoor nationals in Philadelphia and finished 53 of about 106 athletes. This past fall I competed at the Adidas indoor nationals in Virginia where I placed 24 out of 87 athletes."

He was confident going into the national event because he had done well at a USATF Association Junior Olympics meet, where he took first in the 400 and second in the triple jump.

And while he's satisfied with his results at the national competition, he said he always sees room to improve.

"I was happy to medal in both events and (earn) All American because that was my goal, but every meet, I go out with the hope of setting a personal record, and I fell short of that in both events, so that was disappointing," he recalled. "Plus, my hamstring cramped in the 400, so that slowed me down a lot."

Kaedin, who is the son of David Cote and Karen Parker-Cote of Maytown, was happy to have a fan in the crowd cheering him on in Alabama.

"My mom went with me," he said. "She's my biggest fan and greatest supporter." While his dad could not attend due to a work commitment, Kaedin was also accompanied by two of his Hershey Blaze teammates.

Kaedin began participating in track and field in seventh grade. He said there's so much that appeals to him about the sport.

"I love that it's a team sport, but also so individualized," he shared. "I love the track culture. I've met so many people from different schools and different states, and we all support each other. We know what it's like to have a bad day, and we support one another through the tough times. We know what it's like to (reach a personal record), and we celebrate each other's victories. At race time we're competitors 100%, but any other time, we're friends and each other's biggest supporters."

Although his favorite - and best - events are the 400 and the triple jump, Kaedin can run any sprint from the 50 meter up to the 400, and he also participates in long jump and high jump.

When he's not on the track, Kaedin enjoys playing soccer for both the Donegal boys' team and club soccer, and he loves spending time with his older brother, Keaghan; his dogs, Umbreon and Cammie; and his cat, Mocha.

"I love to be outside," he said. "So, whether hiking or riding (a) bike, shooting baskets, going for a walk or run, you'll almost always find me outside somewhere."

With a successful national meet under his belt, Kaedin is now shifting his focus to the next big stage. He qualified for the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, which are being held in Los Angeles this week.

"Then I want to go to a good D1 college and hopefully get noticed and at least go to the Olympic trials," he said. "I mean, even if I finish last there - someone has to - at least I would have gone knowing only a few people even get the chance to experience it."