---
In the heart of Minnesota's vibrant track and field scene, a new generation of talent is emerging. These rising stars, still middle-schoolers, are already making waves in the 2024 season. Their determination, skill, and passion for their sport have set them apart, promising exciting performances and inspiring feats to come. Let's meet these five athletes who are leaving their mark on Minnesota's track and field landscape.
---
Annika Hall (Chisago Lakes)
Continuing her strong momentum from the cross country season that saw her finish 12th at state and 2nd in her race at NXR Heartland, Hall has again put a strong track season together, after going to state in both the 1600m and 3200m as a 7th-grader. Hall this season has set a new PR of 5:09.94 in the 1600m and ran just off her 3200m PR with a time of 11:15.76 recently. She won the Class AA True Team State 3200m title with that time and also finished 3rd in the 1600m at the meet with her new PR. She currently ranks #6 in the 1600m nationally for her class this season and #7 in the 3200m.
Sam Olson (Hawley)
Setting a new Minnesota 7th-grade class record earlier this month in the 110m hurdles would definitely make you a rising star in Minnesota. At the JH/JV Gold Meet in Hawley earlier this month, Olson ran a time of 16.27 to demolish the previous class record which was set just last year. This was Olson's first time running the race and his first track and field meet ever. With his time of 16.27, he ranks 93rd all-time for boys 7th-graders nationally.
All-Time 7th-Grade Class MN Boys 110m Hurdles Times
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.27 | Hawley High School | 2029 | JH / JV Gold Meet 1st F | |
| 2 | 16.58 | Rochester John Marshall | 2028 | Rochester JM Tri 1st F | |
| 3 | 16.63 | Fertile-Beltrami High School | 2024 | ||
| 4 | 16.70 | Rochester Mayo High School | 2024 | Winona/Mayo Last Chance 1st F | |
| 5 | 16.95 | Delano High School | 2028 |
---
Xiaobao Liang (Math & Science Academy)
Liang currently ranks as one of her class's top sprinters after her spectacular performances this month. Liang currently ranks as the #1 100m and 400m runner for her class in Minnesota this season and also ranks as the #2 200m runner. Her extensive experience this indoor track season has paid off his outdoor season to the tune of PRs of 12.65 in the 100m, 26.62 in the 200m and 58.69 in the 400m. Among her class nationally this outdoor season, she ranks 7th in the 100m, 17th in the 200m and 7th in the 100m.
---
Connor McMahon (Saint John's Prep)
A rising star as a 7th grader for St. Johns Prep, McMahon has produced a historically good 800m time his last time out at the Saint John's Prep Co-Ed Invitational, finishing 4th overall in the race with a time of 2:12.13. That time ranks #15 all-time in Minnesota for boys 7th-graders and he is just one of 18 boys under 2:13 for the event. He also ranks well among his peers, ranking #7 in his class.
Class of 2029 - Top 800m Times
| Rank | Time | Runner | Class | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:05.15 | 2029 | ||
| 2 | 2:07.06 | 2029 | SCHSL 1A - Region 15th F | |
| 3 | 2:10.82 | 2029 | ||
| 4 | 2:11.34 | 2029 | ||
| 5 | 2:11.48 | 2029 | ||
| 6 | 2:11.85 | 2029 | ||
| 7 | 2:12.13 | 2029 | ||
| 8 | 2:13.10 | 2029 | ||
| 9 | 2:13.57 | 2029 |
---
Emmi Ihry (Climax)
Ihry has burst onto the scene as a 7th-grader, running some spectaculer times in the 1600m and 3200m. She set some new dazzling PRs this week at the A-B-W Invite, where she won both the 1600m and 3200m with times of 5:13.12 and 11:18.30, staying undefeated on the season. She currently ranks #8 in her class nationally in the 1600m and ranks #7 in the 3200m. All-time in Minnesota she ranks, #16 all-time for 7th-grade girls in the 1600m and #19 for the 3200m.
Emmi Ihry Undefeated 2024
800 Meter Run
1600 Meter Run
3200 Meter Run