Division 1 once again showcased Wisconsin's deepest collection of talent, featuring nationally competitive marks across the sprints, distance events, hurdles, relays, and field events. State champions emerged in nearly every discipline, but just as impressive was the depth behind them, with many events requiring elite performances simply to reach the podium. Several underclassmen also established themselves among the state's brightest future stars while veteran standouts delivered championship-caliber seasons.
Boys D1: Resch, Lenn, Clayborn, and Zielinski Headline an Elite Division
Sprints: Resch Leads a Deep Sprint Corps
The sprint scene revolved around Trey Resch (Arrowhead), who completed the Division 1 sprint double at the state meet.
- 100m: 10.59 (State Champion)
- 200m: 20.98 (State Champion)
Resch emerged from one of the deepest sprint fields in Wisconsin. Kingston Penn (Middleton) posted the division's fastest 100-meter mark at 10.52 and added a strong 21.40 in the 200 meters. Will Mikonowicz (Reedsburg Area) and Max Stascak (Bay Port) also broke 10.70 in the 100, while freshman Ross Kidau (Waunakee) announced himself as one of Wisconsin's top young talents with a 10.70 performance.
The 400 meters was equally competitive.
Sophomores Hoeppner and Loomis both earned state podium finishes, highlighting the impressive youth emerging in the quarter-mile.
Distance: Lenn and Tally Dominate Championship-Level Fields
The distance events featured some of the strongest marks recorded anywhere in Wisconsin this season.
The 800 meters was loaded with elite talent, led by Jemekhi Tally (Homestead) at 1:51.00. Owen Sayles (Oconomowoc), Landon Franke (Racine Horlick), TJ Pennycook (Hudson), and Lucas Tanner (DeForest) all ran 1:52.33 or faster, making it one of the state's deepest events regardless of division.
The 1600 and 3200 meters belonged to Grady Lenn (De Pere).
- 1600m: 4:03.90 (State Champion)
- 3200m: 8:49.15 (State Champion)
Lenn's 3200 performance was among the premier distance marks in Wisconsin this season.
Behind him, Landon Franke (Racine Horlick), Brendan Reardon (Marquette), Lucas Tanner (DeForest), and Ben Weston (Arrowhead) produced outstanding championship performances.
One of the division's biggest breakthroughs came from sophomore Logan Zeise (Milwaukee King), who placed third at the state meet in the 3200 with a 9:03.28 effort.
Hurdles & Relays: Clayborn and Wisconsin Lutheran Set the Standard
Few athletes impacted the hurdle events more than Niyer Clayborn (Wisconsin Lutheran).
Clayborn led both events and established himself as one of Wisconsin's premier hurdle specialists.
The chase group was loaded as well. Jakai Ayed (Holmen) earned the state title in the 110 hurdles, while Keaton Dauk (Pulaski), Tristan Haigh (Sussex Hamilton), and Cedric Bolden (Wisconsin Lutheran) all ranked among the division leaders.
Relay competition was among the best in the state:
Arrowhead, Homestead, Oak Creek, New Richmond, and Waukesha West consistently appeared near the top of the relay rankings, reflecting tremendous team depth.
Field Events: Zielinski Headlines the Jumps While Throws Showcase Power
No athlete dominated the horizontal jumps more than Cole Zielinski (Waukesha West).
- Long Jump: 25-9.75
- Triple Jump: 48-2
Zielinski swept both events and produced some of the best jump marks recorded in Wisconsin this year.
The throws featured several elite competitors. Luka Ivancevic (Homestead) led the shot put at 60-1, while sophomore Tyvon Pate (Fond du Lac) earned a state runner-up finish with 56-1.
The discus was led by:
The vertical jumps were equally impressive.
Sophomores Wylder Burch (Onalaska) and Derek Ongna (Marshfield) both earned high state finishes in the high jump, further emphasizing the division's youth movement.
Girls D1: Rinkam, McCalla, Eicher, and Severson Lead a Star-Studded Field
Sprints: Rinkam Continues Her Sprint Dominance
The girls sprint landscape centered around Kyenret Rinkam (Brookfield Central).
- 100m: 11.62 (State Champion)
- 200m: 23.82 (State Champion)
Rinkam completed the sprint double and solidified herself as one of Wisconsin's premier athletes regardless of classification.
The sprint depth behind her was remarkable. Lydia Lazarescu (Holmen) finished runner-up in both events, while Laela Presendofer (Mukwonago), Payton Eicher (Arrowhead), and Avery Bott (Arrowhead) all produced state podium performances.
The 400 meters featured another elite championship field.
Sophomores Kylie Triebold and Lydia Taraboi (Germantown) both emerged as major contributors in one of the division's strongest events.
Distance: McCalla and McCabe Power Wisconsin's Deepest Distance Group
The 800 meters featured one of Wisconsin's fastest races of the season.
Charlize-Trinity McKenzie (Cedarburg) ran 2:07.21 at the HOKA Festival of Miles, while Lauren McCalla (Menomonie) led Wisconsin championship competition at 2:08.68 while capturing the Division 1 state title.
McCalla also dominated the 1600 meters.
- 1600m: 4:38.54 (State Champion)
The 3200 meters belonged to freshman sensation Karstin McCabe (Whitefish Bay).
- 3200m: 10:24.22 (State Champion)
- 1600m: 4:44.98 (State Runner-Up)
McCabe established herself among Wisconsin's elite distance runners and was one of the state's top freshman performers.
Other standout distance athletes included Eva Busch (Appleton North), who finished second in the 3200 and fifth in the 1600 as a sophomore, along with Piper Schuster (Slinger) and Emily Berger (Waunakee).
Hurdles & Relays: Balance and Depth Define the Event Groups
The hurdles showcased several standout performers.
Faehling's versatility stood out throughout the season. In addition to leading the 300 hurdles, she also ranked among the division leaders in the long jump.
Strong supporting performances came from Jamyana Witte (Ashwaubenon), Kaylin Thomson (West De Pere), Maci Heise (Wausau West), and Macy Price (Sussex Hamilton).
Relay competition remained highly balanced among several powerhouse programs.
Unlike some divisions where one school dominated multiple relays, Division 1 saw several programs claim top honors across the relay spectrum.
Field Events: Eicher and Severson Establish Themselves Among Wisconsin's Best
Few athletes were as dominant as Payton Eicher (Arrowhead).
- Long Jump: 19-9
- Triple Jump: 39-9.75
- State podium finisher in the 100m
Eicher excelled across both the jumps and sprints, making her one of the division's most versatile athletes.
In the throws, sophomore Emma Severson (Neenah) emerged as the division's dominant force.
- Shot Put: 49-5
- Discus: 156-6
Severson led both events and already ranks among Wisconsin's elite throwers despite being only a sophomore.
Other top field-event performers included:
Several underclassmen also made major impacts, including Josie Reit (Chippewa Falls) in the shot put, Kayana Turner (Oshkosh West) in the triple jump, Emma Liebergen (Oshkosh West) in both horizontal jumps, Ella Anderson (Franklin) in the high jump, Norah Eidahl (Hortonville) in the high jump, and freshman Aubrey Kempen (West De Pere) in the pole vault.
D1 Overall Outlook
Division 1 showcased the highest level of depth and championship competition in Wisconsin track and field.
Boys: Trey Resch (Arrowhead) controlled the sprints, Grady Lenn (De Pere) dominated the distance races, Niyer Clayborn (Wisconsin Lutheran) led the hurdles, and Cole Zielinski (Waukesha West) swept the horizontal jumps. The distance events, relays, and hurdles were particularly deep, with numerous athletes producing state-title caliber performances.
Girls: Kyenret Rinkam (Brookfield Central) ruled the sprints, Lauren McCalla (Menomonie) and Karstin McCabe (Whitefish Bay) headlined the distance events, Rylee Faehling (West Bend West) emerged as a versatile hurdle and jump standout, and Payton Eicher (Arrowhead) dominated the horizontal jumps while contributing in the sprints.
Across the board: Division 1 combined elite star power with exceptional depth, featuring numerous state champions, nationally competitive marks, and a wave of underclassmen who have already established themselves among Wisconsin's future stars.