Photo: Maxx Bradley/MileSplit Kansas
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Even though the season feels like it began only yesterday, this weekend marks the beginning of the end of the high school track and field season.
After weeks of grueling competition and hard-fought battles through all types of conditions, it's finally time for the grand finale of the Kansas high school season, the biggest championship meet in the United States, the 2025 KSHSAA State Track & Field Championships.
DELIA GREGORY LEADS THE WAY IN 6A'S HISTORIC SPRINT MATCHUP
The Princeton-bound senior has been untouchable for most of the season, winning 20 out of 25 races from the 100m-800m. As defending champ in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m, Delia Gregory is potentially scoring over 30 points on her own. It won't be a walk in the park for the Blue Valley North senior by any means.
Texas Tech signee Harli Omli is at the forefront of arguably one of the greatest sprint squads in state history and has a pair of blistering state leads of 11.47 and 23.71 in the 100m and 200m events. Omli will also challenge Gregory in the 400m as the 2023 champion, hoping to take back the crown before she heads south this fall.
Omli's teammate and training partner, Hanna Pellant, is taking her talents to SEC country, joining the Rebels at the University of Mississippi. Pellant has a few more boxes to check before closing out her high school career. Pellant is the reigning state champion over 100m, leading a 1-2 finish with Omli to help Manhattan to a sixth-place team finish.
Outside of the 'Big 3', Garden City's Hailey Brown, Wichita Heights' Aaliyah Bolden, Blue Valley North's Audrey Brown, and Blue Valley standout Maria Portela are a few of the many contenders for the top of the podium.
THE SAINTS ARE MARCHING IN: JOEY GOODENOW AND KLYN CURTIS ARE 5A ROYALTY
Two of the best throwers in Kansas history also happen to be teammates. St. Thomas Aquinas seniors Joey Goodenow and Klyn Curtis form one of the most dominant throwing duos in the country - and they'll look to make history this weekend by going 1-2 in both the shot put and discus. But as expected, a few challengers are hoping to disrupt their sweep.
At the Shawnee Mission North Relays, Goodenow and Curtis delivered lifetime bests of 63-8 and 62-10 in the shot put, creating a massive six-foot gap between themselves and the rest of the field. In the discus, the roles are flipped: Goodenow currently leads the state with a top mark of 189-4, while Curtis sits at No. 3 with a season-best of 172-11.
One of their main threats is Karson Palmer of Arkansas City, who ranks No. 2 in the discus after launching a 178-5 earlier this month. He's also a top-five contender in the 5A shot put, sitting less than two feet behind the leaders.
Another name to watch is Chase Riedesel of De Soto. The experienced senior owns multiple state medals and is more than capable of stepping in and challenging what could be an all-time performance from the favorites.WITH ANOTHER YEAR UNDER HER BELT, DRU ZEKA IS THE GIRL TO BEAT IN 3A
Dru Zeka's first-ever state championships exceeded expectations in every aspect, as she won 400m and high jump titles thrillingly. This time around, she's looking for a title in the long jump as well, qualifying for all three events as an individual.
The sophomore sits at No. 4 in the 400m and No. 2 in the long jump but has a one-inch gap on the rest of the 4A field.
BRODY ANDERSON HEADS TO WICHITA AS THE FAVORITE, READY FOR BIG-TIME CHALLENGE
Continuing the historic stretch of sprinters that have come out of Burlington, Brody Anderson is the favorite to break the tape in the 100m and 200m this weekend. The Wichita State commit has run 10.45 and 21.11 to sit at No. 1 in 3A, but Wichita Collegiate sophomore Timmy Ritchie has been hot on his trail all season long.
Ritchie owns PBs of 10.56 and 21.48 in the 100m and 200m, as well as a 3A-leading mark in the 400m of 47.48.
The two have not faced each other since Regionals a year ago, and both are in the best shape of their lives heading into state.
Scott City's Camden Vulgamore and Perry-Lecompton's Bronzen Rush are two of the handful of dark horses capable of an upset.
REAGAN WIRTZ IS 2A'S NEWEST SPRINT SENSATION
The lights may be bright, but the freshman is nothing but cool, calm, and collective. Reagan Wirtz's first season as a high schooler is going as well as one could hope for, heading into state as the favorite in both the 100m and 200m, and long jump. Wirtz also plays a critical role in Ellinwood's 4x400m, which has the No. 5 fastest time in 2A this spring.
Only time will tell how Wirtz does under the May sun at Cessna Stadium, but if her regular season performances are any indicator, she'll be just fine.
BROCK DETERDING WANTS TO GO OFF ON A HIGH NOTE, LEAD KIOWA COUNTY TO A TITLE
Out of the thousands of athletes set to compete over the next two days, few have more on their plate than Kiowa County legend, Brock Deterding.
The reigning champion in the 100m, 200m, and 4x400m, is looking to add another historic slate of performances to his legacy and leave Wichita with four state titles to his name.
Despite being 25-1 this season, no one is ever safe when a state title is on the line.
In the shorter of the two sprints, Frankfort's Carter Olson and Weskan's Karsyn Wright take the roles as Deterding's two biggest threats. The pair have run 10.87 and 10.90, respectively, this season.
Over 200m, Axtell's Brandon Schmelzle joins Deterding and Olson under 22.5, along with Cunningham's Skyler Thimesch, and both have shown why they're threats for the title as well.