10 of The Top Performers From April's Last Weekend Of Meets

Ashley Lehman (Hesston, 2026):

It was another week made up of winning for Lehman, who picked up wins in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and pole vault at the Conrad Nightingale Invitational. The future Nebraska Cornhusker clocked a wind-legal 12.13, 25.09, and 55.68 in her three events on the track, while clearing 12-2.25 in the pole vault, her second trip over a 12-0 bar this spring. 

Shinji Pollard (Kansas City Piper, 2026):

At the 2026 Leitel Legacy Invitational, Pollard won both the 110mH and 300mH, sweeping the hurdle pairing for the fourth time in the last month. The senior clocked 14.15 and 37.70, both the second-fastest times of his season after notching PBs in both at the BV West ELITE Meet. 

Rylee Meyer (Andale, 2026):

For the first time this season, Meyer opted not to run the 100m, focusing on the 200m, 300mH, and long jump at the Clearwater Invitational. The state champion clocked 25.32 and 25.32, two of her fastest times of the year, and complemented those times with a SB leap of 17-11.5 in the long jump. She finished first in both events on the track and was runner-up on the runway. 

Brayden Walker (Southeast of Saline, 2026):

Heading into the weekend, Walker's 1600m PB was a quick 4:17.91 from last year's KC Metro Mile Championship, but he left the Abilene HS Varsity Invite with a huge PB and a lot of confidence. Walker led a trio of boys behind him under 4:20, clocking a five-second PB of 4:12.07 to break Dylan Sprecker's (NCAA DII National Champion) school record of 4:14.88. Walker also ran a SB of 1:58 in the 800m, finishing second. 

Sophia Thome (Bishop Carroll, 2026):

The senior had a strong showing at the Buhler HS Varsity Invitational last Friday, winning the 1600m and adding a fifth-place finish in the 3200m to her impressive senior resume. For the first time in her career, Thome broke 5:10, running a 12-second PB of 5:07.36, and followed that up later by running 11:15.61 in the 3200m. 

Jacob Bircher (Southeast of Saline, 2026):

Just like his teammate did in the 1600m, Bircher moved Trojan legend Dylan Sprecker down a spot in the school's record books, winning the 800m in 1:54.80, his second time running 1:55 or faster this season. The Park commit also ran 4:15.17 in the 1600m, while also splitting sub-2:00 as he anchored the 4x800m. In his senior campaign, Bircher has lowered his outdoor PBs in the 1600m and 800m by roughly 15 and four seconds. 

Camryn Gourley (Hoxie, 2028):

Just a sophomore, Gourley has been on an absolute tear this season, most recently showing off at the Oakley HS Invitational. Gourley competed in the 100m, 200m, 100mH, and 300mH, winning all three with times of 12.49 (PB), 25.87 (PB), 15.03, and 45.66 (PB). She is now 13-1 on the season and is clearly a threat to rack up a lot of points at the state championships later next month. 

Klyn Curtis (St. Thomas Aquinas, 2026):

With the Saints taking a road trip to the Rockies for the 53rd Liberty Bell Track & Field Invitational, Curtis made the most of the opportunity. The senior and state leader won the shot put with a throw of 62-10, marking his fourth consecutive win and third time surpassing the 62-0 barrier. He also added a third-place finish in the discus, throwing 171-4, the third time he has thrown 170 or farther. 

Paige Newland (Emporia, 2026):

Newland brought out the brooms at the 2026 Leitel Legacy Invitational, winning the long and triple jump over a loaded field with plenty of competition from the Kansas City Metro. The Spartan jumped 17-10 and 38-2.75, winning each event fairly comfortably. The 2025 5A runner-up in both the long and triple jump currently sits at the top of the class leaderboard heading into May.

Jason McNicoll (Blue Valley West, 2026):

For the third straight meet, McNicholl established a new lifetime best in the javelin, and his big throw at the Shawnee Mission West Invitational was among the best in the nation. McNicoll sits No. 2 in the U.S. this season and is the 10th-best javelin thrower in state history, and best since 2019.