2022 Track and Field State Recap Day 1

A new era of the Minnesota State High School League’s Track and Field State Meet began on Thursday, June 9, 2022, with the debut of a three-class event at St. Michael-Albertville High School. This is the first format change to the League’s Track and Field State Meet since 1976. The Girls Track and Field State Meet debuted in 1972 and was the League’s first state-level event for girls. Title IX legislation was signed into federal law on June 23, 1972, but the Minnesota State High School League had already adopted a plan to implement girls athletics’ programming.

Girls Track and Field was a single-class tournament from 1972 through 1975. In 1976, a two-class system was implemented and that was used through last season. On the boys’ side, a Track and Field State Meet has been held since 1923. It was a two-class event until 1929, when it became a single-class format. From 1929-72, one boys’ champion was crowned. In 1973, a two-class system was restored.

Here is a look at some of the championships that were captured on Day 1:

• Pine Island senior Jarod White won the Class A pole vault championship for the second consecutive season. His winning leap was 16 feet. White qualified for the meet with a state-record vault of 16-2. During Thursday’s state meet, he attempted 16-5, but was unsuccessful.
• Nevis junior Jade Rypkema won the Class A 3,200-meter race for the second consecutive season in a time of 10:36.99, Murray County Central junior Amanda Overgaauw was second in 10:.56.
• In the Class A boys 3,200-meter, Nova Classical Academy teammates claimed the top two spots. Senior Finn McCormick was the gold medalist in 9:27.20 and teammate Henry Karelitz, a junior, was second in 9:35.02.