Top 5 Athletes to Watch at the WI State Indoor Championships


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The 2024 Wisconsin State Indoor Track and Field Championships promise to showcase some of the state's most talented athletes, offering a glimpse into the future of track and field. Among the athletes to watch are standout performers who have consistently demonstrated their skill and determination on the track. From record-setting sprinters to versatile field event competitors, these individuals are poised to captivate audiences with their remarkable athleticism and fierce competitive spirit. As they vie for top honors, these athletes are sure to deliver thrilling performances that highlight the depth of talent in Wisconsin's track and field community.

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Ben Smith (Hortonville)

Not only one of the top throwers in Wisconsin, but one of the top throwers nationally. Smith returns to the state indoor championships as the defending shot put champion. Smith is undefeated this indoor season with five victories (all in March), with one of the wins coming at Nike Indoor Nationals where he won with a personal best indoor throw of 68' 4.25". His throw of 68' 4.25" ranks #1 nationally this indoor season and is also the #1 mark in Wisconsin indoor state history. 

Smith is a University of Oregon commit. 

One of the stars of the Class of 2026, McKenzie currently ranks 1st in the 600m and 1000m for all sophomore girls this indoor season and also ranks #3 in the 800m, #7 in the 1500m and #8 in the 1600m. McKenzie also ranks as the #1 in Wisconsin this season for all distances from the 600m up to the 3000m. She returns to the state indoor championships as the reigning 800m champion and her new PR of 2:09.81 has her far ahead of the field this year. With 13 wins this indoor season, we would expect her to continue her winning ways this year. 

Landon Gallun (Whitefish Bay)

One of Wisconsin's top sprinting stars, Gallun has had a stellar indoor season which has included new PRs in the 60m and 200m at Nike Indoor Nationals, a CYUP Misfits Invitational 60m title and a new Wisconsin state record in the 4x200m as a part of the Milwaukee Speed Academy. Gallun currently ranks 1st in Wisconsin in the 55m, 60m and 200m. He will compete at the state indoor championships for the first time in his career. 

Autumn Michalski (Chequamegon)

A star runner for Chequamegon and a Oklahoma State University commit, Michalski will come into the championships as one of the favorites in the distance events after setting new indoor PRs this indoor season in the 800m (2:18.96), 1600m (5:03.41), and 3200m (11:11.71). She is undefeated thus far this indoor season with six wins in six races. She ranks as a top five runner in all three events this season in Wisconsin. Last year she finished 2nd in the 1600m and 3rd in the 800m. 

Sophia Bablitch (Rosholt)

Another distance standout, Bablitch is undefeated in seven races this indoor season, posting new PRs of 2:16.08 in the 800m and 5:03.69 along the way. She returns after finishing 4th in both the 800m and 1600m at the 2023 State Indoor Championships. Since then she has set new outdoor PRs in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m; winning the D3 state 3200m title and finishing 2nd in the 1600m along the way.