Photo: MileSplit/Maxx Bradley
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A windy weekend across the state ended up providing the perfect opportunity for Kansans to show up and show out in their respective meets, and that's precisely what we saw.
There were state leads and state records thrown down, and it seems like it might just only be the beginning of what has the makings of a historic track and field season.
Take a look at some of the top-performing athletes from last weekend!
LIAM MORRISON
Class of 2026
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The reigning 6A 300mH state champion has already breezed past the PB he dropped in last year's state final, running 37.61 at the Mike Wallace Olathe Invitational. Morrison also ran 14.32 in the 110mH, the No. 3 time throughout the state. The senior moved into the top-five all-time, sitting No. 4 behind Noah Green (36.28), Trenton Hammond (37.22), and Austin Mullins (37.60). He's officially the fastest Kansan since the 2017 outdoor season.
DRU ZEKA
Class of 2027
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The Wellington standout looks set to defend a trio of state titles in the 400m, high jump, and long jump, after already knocking off one PB at the K-State Relays. In the high jump, Zeka soared over the bar at 5-8.75, winning by over four inches and moving her up to No. 3 all-time in Kansas history. Additionally, she is the first Kansas girl to clear 5-8.75 or higher since 2010. She also jumped 18-11.5 in the long jump in Manhattan, and sits No. 3 statewide.
MASON HILL
Class of 2026
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Over the last couple of years, Kansas has seen a handful of pole vaulting talents ascend through the ranks, and the latest one to do so is now the second-best in state history. Hill, who had a PB of 16-8 a year ago and was the 6A runner-up, has added nearly a foot to his PB, clearing 17-6.5 at the Mike Wallace Olathe Invitational. Hill is currently the third-ranked vaulter nationwide, and is No. 32 in national history with plenty of time left in the season.
AMELIA HANSEN
Class of 2026
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Take a bow, Amelia Hansen! The defending state champion and 12-0 vaulter from a year ago made history over the weekend, clearing a new state record of 13-5 at the Harry McDonald Blue Valley Relays. Hansen had cleared 13-0 this indoor season at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit when she picked up the high-caliber win, but her new PB moved her an inch ahead of Emily Brigham's (Mill Valley) previous record of 13-4 from 2013. The future Jayhawk is tied for the fourth-best jump in the nation this season, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
KLYN CURTIS
Class of 2026
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Easily one of the top returning throwers in the state this spring, Curtis has already cleared both his shot put and discus marks from a year ago, throwing 63-11.5 and 1773-5 at the Harry McDonald Blue Valley Relays. His new best in the shot put makes him the sixth-best in state history, while his discus PB puts him in the No. 5 spot in Kansas this season. There's a very good chance at the 5A shot put champion will once again be representing the Saints.
CAMERON ROSS
Class of 2026
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In her first and final trip to the K-State Relays, Ross picked up her second consecutive win in the javelin, throwing nearly 20 feet farther than her previous best. Ross won the competition with a throw of 152-2.25, winning by nearly 17 feet over a field of 17. Not only is that the top mark in the state this season by over five feet, but it's the 21st best throw in state history, and makes her one of just 29 girls to ever throw 150 or farther in the event.
RYDER CARR
Class of 2027
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Up until yesterday, Carr was the lone athlete in the state to dip below 22 seconds in the 200m, running 21.92 at the Maize High School Invitational. Sub-22 is nothing new for the junior, with his lifetime best of 21.52 from last year's WAC Track & Field Championship being one of five other sub-22 efforts. He also ran 10.80 for 100m in Maize, and currently sits No. 10 and No. 2 in both events this spring, respectively.
AVA CLAASEN
Class of 2028
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Coming off of a breakthrough cross country campaign, the sophomore picked up right where she left off on the track, running 4:56.7 and 2:19.93 in the 1600m and 800m at the Maize High School Invitational. Claasen won her events by 24 and 6 seconds, respectively, with her 1600m mark more than quick enough for the state lead. Now ranked No. 16 in state history, Claasen can also call herself the sixth-fastest sophomore in state history, ahead of Kansas legends including Alli Cash, Chesney Peterson, and Emily Venters.
BRODY DENISTON
Class of 2026
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Before he joins one of the best programs in the NCAA this fall (Pittsburg State), Deniston has one last high school season on deck. As a junior, Deniston finished runner-up in both the 3200m (9:13) and 1600m (4:16) at the KSHSAA State Championship, but broke the tape in the 800m, crossing in 1:56.23. In just his second race as a senior, Deniston moved past his previous best, running 1:54.68 at the Liberal High School Invitational. He's the only athlete under 1:55 so far this year and is No. 3 all-time in 3A history according to MileSplit's database.
Photo: MileSplit/Maxx Bradley
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