At first glance, sport stacking might not seem like a battleground for athletic glory—but don’t tell that to Dylan King, Yosiah Goodman or sisters Journei and Charidy Pierson.
In a sea of traditional sports at the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, these young Black athletes brought speed, precision and undeniable energy to the stack mat, turning heads and rewriting the script on what it means to compete.
With hometowns stretching from Los Angeles to Atlanta to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, each athlete came to sport stacking differently. But they all share a love for the game and the boldness to excel where few expect them to.
“Sport stacking is an international sport that’s been around since the 1980s,” said Lisa Berman, Director of USA Sport Stacking. “It’s been part of the AAU Junior Olympic Games since 2012. Athletes stack specially designed cups up and down in set patterns either individually or on teams.”
Diversity in the sport brings together competitors from across the U.S. and other countries, creating a space for cultural exchange, friendship and personal growth.
“Because sport stacking is a nontraditional sport, most kids come in with a blank slate,” said Berman. “They learn something new and challenge themselves to get better.”
King, a sixth-grader from Los Angeles, California, got into sport stacking once his afterschool coordinator, April Watkins, introduced the sport to her program.
“I saw a demo at the BOOST Conference and it looked fun,” said Watkins. “We’re a small school in a hot area and cup stacking gave our active kids something engaging to do indoors that didn’t require much space.”
After an initial year of casual play, Speed Stacks sent a trainer to the school and that visit changed everything.
“He was so fast doing tricks and even stacking with his eyes closed,” said Watkins. “The kids were hooked.”
King was one of them. He entered his first competition in November 2024.
“It didn’t make sense at first,” said King. “But once I watched other people, I saw it was about getting a fast time without messing up.”
He ended up winning both the 3-3-3 and the full cycle events. His afterschool team, the Rising Stars, earned a spot at this summer’s AAU Junior Olympics.
April Watkins
“Sport stacking engages students and improves their focus. It levels the playing field, whether school comes easily or hard. All students get to feel successful and that builds confidence.”
“Sport stacking engages students and improves their focus,” said Watkins. “It levels the playing field, whether school comes easily or hard. All students get to feel successful and that builds confidence.”
“I was excited about the Junior Olympics,” said King. “I thought it was just us stacking against each other. I didn’t know it was going to be that big.”
“Dylan has always been confident,” said his mom, Shanelle Lee. “But sport stacking showed him he can succeed at anything he works hard for.”
Atlanta’s Yosiah Goodman, a sixth-grader from Atlanta, Georgia, had only been stacking for four months before making his debut at the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics.
He got involved after seeing a flyer for tryouts at school and discovered he had a natural talent.
“I saw other kids doing it and thought I could do it too,” said Goodman. “So I figured it out myself.”
That self-drive led him to win the World Sport Stacking Association 2025 Hotlanta Regional Championship, qualifying him for the Junior Olympics.
“Hotlanta was fun. I felt like I was going to win and I got second place,” said Goodman.
In Houston, Goodman placed third in his age group’s relay event. He made the trip without a team or coach, just with support from family.
“His focus has sharpened,” said his aunt, Jamee Cornelia. “He’s learned that if you put your mind to something, you can do it.”
Sisters Journei and Charidy came to Houston with an impressive record of wins under their belts.
Journei started stacking three years ago and qualified for the Junior Olympics at just six years old. She’s competed across the country, earning multiple medals, including third-place in head-to-head and team relay and fifth in 3-6-3 formations at the 2025 Junior Olympics in Houston.
“My favorite part is meeting new friends and winning awards,” said Journei. “My motivation comes from my mommy and my whole family, they believe in me.”
Charidy followed in her sister’s footsteps a year ago. Her first event was the 2024 Forney Stack Competition, where she placed second twice and third once. She quickly rose through the ranks and, in 2025, swept first place across the board at Forney, qualifying for Houston, where she earned third in team relay, fourth in 3-3-3 and fifth in child/parent doubles.
“After watching my sister win medals, winning my own felt really good,” said Charidy. “I was proud of myself.”
“Sport stacking has brought them closer,” said their mom, Ja’Macia Pierson. “They lift each other up and hold each other accountable. I love seeing them push each other to be better.”
For Dylan, Yosiah, Journei and Charidy, this year’s competition may be over, but their stacking journeys are far from finished.
“I just want to keep stacking, make YouTube videos, play basketball and go to more tournaments,” said Goodman.
“I want to get better and start training so I can win first place next year,” said Charidy.
Their families see the sport’s value beyond medals and podiums.
“Success is taking the focus, drive and discipline they’ve learned and applying it to life,” said Lee.
“As long as he’s having fun and seeing the world, that’s success to me,” said Cornelia. “But his dedication really inspires me.”
“When our girls put those medals around their necks, the glow on their faces says it all,” said Ja’Macia Pierson. “They’ve worked so hard. They came, they saw and they conquered the 2025 Junior Olympics and we couldn’t be prouder.”
