2023 Track and Field State Class AA Day 1

Hutchinson junior Isabelle Schmitz was the Class AA runner-up in the fall during the Minnesota State High School League’s Cross Country State Meet. With the waning days of her junior year, she climbed the next step on the awards podium with a championship in the 3,200-meter race on Friday, June 9 during the Class AA portion of the League’s Track and Field State Meet at St. Michael-Albertville High School.

Schmitz covered the eight laps around the track in a time of 10 minutes, 43.68 seconds. That was nearly 15 seconds faster than Albany junior Olivia Goebel, who was second in 1:58.20. Marshall junior Allyson Sample was third in 10:59.69.

Here is a look at others that won finals during the first session of competition in the Class AA field:

• Grace Gunderson, a junior from Detroit Lakes, won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 5 inches. Princeton freshman Kyleigh Noble and Bloomington Kennedy senior Deshawna Neal also had those marks, but Gunderson emerged on top through tie-breaking criteria.
• In the long jump, Rocori junior Ava Thoennes had a leap of 17 feet, 6.25 inches. That was two inches farther than Rockford senior Elise Biorn and four better than St. Paul Academy freshman Elizabeth Tuttle.
• Sauk Rapids-Rice junior Brooke Mushatt won the discus with a throw of 129 feet, 3 inches. Holy Family senior Logan Paulsen was the runner-up at 125-6. Plainview-Elgin-Millville senior Laurn Rott was third at 125-4.
• In the boys field, Belle Plaine senior Emmett Gerres ended his prep career on a winning note by capturing the 3,200-meter crown in a time of 9 minutes, 3.72 seconds. Annandale sophomore Sal Wirth was runner-up in 9:07.89 and Breck senior Alden Keller was third in 9:16.01.
• Rockford junior Brian Schloeder soared in winning the pole vault with a mark of 15 feet, 6 inches. That was a foot better than runner-up, Owen Angell, a sophomore from Becker. Foley senior Ethan Novak was third at 14 feet.
• In the triple jump, Worthington senior Abagotte Opiew, the top seed, had a leap of 44 feet 4.75 inches to claim the blue-ribboned gold medal. Stewartville junior Carter Anderson was runner-up at 43-4.25 and Fergus Falls junior Shane Zierden was third at 43-2.
• The shot put championship went to Stewartville senior Peyton Byrne, who had a winning put of 54 feet, 8 inches. Fergus Falls senior Alexander Jensen was a close second at 54-7.75 inches. Rocori junior Grady Minnerath was third at 54-1.