Wisconsin Girls Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Preview
With the graduation of the 2025 senior class, Wisconsin girls outdoor track enters 2026 with strong returning depth across nearly every event. Several state champions are back, and recent indoor distance marks have already begun to reshape the outlook in the 1600m and 3200m.
Below is an event-by-event look at the top returning performances and key early-season indicators.
Sprints: Rinkam Headlines a Deep Sprint Group
The 100m is led by Kyenret Rinkam (Milwaukee Speed Academy), who posted an 11.65 last summer, the fastest returning mark in the state. She is followed closely by Avery Bott (Arrowhead) at 11.78 and Lydia Lazarescu (Holmen) at 11.88. With four returners under 12.00, the event opens the season with defined separation at the top but strong depth behind the leader.
In the 200m, Rinkam again sets the standard at 23.49. Bott (23.87) returns as the defending Division 1 state champion, while Lazarescu (24.16) and Bella Thomas (Assumption) (24.45) remain within striking distance. With the top five separated by just over a second, the hierarchy for the 200m should have some interesting shuffling this year.
The 400m features one of the stronger returning groups. Iszy Sonnentag (Cadott) leads at 54.99 after winning the state title, with Sydney Falkowski (Kettle Moraine Lutheran) (55.36) and Bott (55.79) close behind. Four returners are under 56.10, suggesting this could become one of the most competitive sprint events this spring.
Middle Distance: McKenzie Sets the Standard in 800m
The 800m returns defending state champion Charlize-Trinity McKenzie (Cedarburg) at 2:06.63, the top mark among non-seniors. She is followed by Lauren McCalla (Menomonie) (2:10.89) and Paxtyn Duellman (Cochrane-Fountain City) (2:11.57). The gap between first and third is nearly five seconds, giving McKenzie a measurable edge entering outdoor.
In the 1600m, McKenzie (4:45.48) and McCalla (4:45.66) return after finishing within two tenths of each other at state. Ciara Hartman (Bloomer) (4:54.63) and Addy Duellman (Cochrane-Fountain City) (4:55.19) headline the next tier of 1600m returners.
Indoor results have also influenced projections. Annabelle Nealey (Brookfield East) ran 5:13.48 for the mile at The CIRCUIT - NYC, establishing herself as the top in-state indoor miler this season. Duellman followed with a 5:21.42 at the Simplot Games, currently the top converted 1600m mark indoors among returners.
Distance: Depth in the 3200m
The 3200m is led by Ella Anschutz (Muskego) at 10:28.29, the fastest returning outdoor mark. Duellman (10:35.96), Maggie Behler (Kohler) (10:37.11), and Hartman (10:37.70) all return within ten seconds of the lead.
Indoor competition has tightened the outlook. Delilah Hedden (Necedah) posted an 11:17.33 indoors, an 18-second improvement from last spring, moving her to the top of this season's indoor state list and signaling potential movement in the outdoor rankings.
Hurdles: Uddin Sets the Standard
Both hurdle events return clear leaders.
In the 100m hurdles, Elletta Uddin (Osceola) leads at 13.98. Sydnee Nelson (Oshkosh West) (14.19) and Samariyah Walker (Wisconsin Lutheran) (14.27) sit within three tenths, keeping the event compact at the top.
Uddin also leads the 300m hurdles at 42.56 after capturing the state title. Maci Heise (Wausau West) (42.79) and Rylee Faehling (West Bend West) (42.94) are both under 43 seconds, giving this event multiple legitimate contenders.
Throws: Severson Doubles as Top Returner
The shot put is led by Emma Severson (Neenah) at 45-8, the only returner beyond 45 feet. Ayden Smith (New London)(43-6.75) and Sy' Rih Hartwig (Athens) (42-11) provide depth behind her.
In the discus, Severson again leads at 141-10, narrowly ahead of Daelyn Rieck (Colby) (141-3). Three additional returners sit between 136-6 and 137-7, making discus one of the tighter events among the throws.
Jumps: Gentile and Schroeder Headline
The long jump is led by Mikayla VanWychen (Two Rivers) at 19-9.5, with Ellyson Wos (Sun Prairie West) (19-7.5) and Celia Gentile (Neenah) (19-6.5) all within three inches. This is one of the most compressed top tiers in the field events.
Gentile also leads the triple jump at 40-4, the only returner over 40 feet. The next four returners are clustered between 37-3 and 37-4.25.
In the high jump, Maddison McDole (Kiel) returns at 5-7, with four athletes at 5-6, including Peyton Keller (Port Washington) and Lainey Chancellor (Waunakee). No large separation exists entering the season.
Pole vault features the clearest top mark in the field events. Elise Schroeder (Arrowhead) returns at 13-8.5 after winning Nike Outdoor Nationals, standing nearly a foot above the next highest returner.
Early Trends to Watch
McKenzie holds the strongest returning distance marks in both the 800m and 1600m.
Rinkam leads both short sprint events and enters as the top returning 100m and 200m athlete.
Uddin controls both hurdle events entering outdoor.
Severson leads both throws.
Several field events (long jump, high jump, discus) feature minimal separation among the top five returners.
Indoor improvements from Nealey, Duellman, and Hedden suggest potential reshuffling in the 1600m and 3200m.
With multiple defending champions returning and strong depth across sprint, distance, and field events, the 2026 Wisconsin girls outdoor season opens with identifiable leaders but limited runaway favorites. Early meets should clarify whether the returning hierarchy holds or new contenders emerge as the spring progresses.