Minnesota Future Stars: Freshman Take Over

Apr 23, 2026

Kirk, Olson, Hollingsworth, and Riser have moved to #1 in their respective class events rankings. Check out the performances that got them to the top!

Boys

Declan Kirk left the Albert Lea Big Nine Triangular 2 meet with two PRs and two victories. The freshman from Rochester Century High School clocked an impressive 52.22 in the 400m and 11.37 in the 100m - Kirk is the top-ranked 400m freshman in the state.

In the hurdles, Hawley High School's Sam Olson took the win at the UCB Early Bird Meet in a personal best of 42.89 in the 300m hurdles. The freshman is one of two Class of 2029 athletes to go sub-43 this year.

Girls

On the runway, Kaiya Hollingsworth of Lakeville South High School won the girls' long jump at the Farmington Girls' Invite . The freshman recorded a new lifetime best of 18-9 in the horizontal jump to win the event and become the top-ranked long jumper in her class for Minnesota.

Ariah Riser dipped under 60 seconds in the quarter mile at the Girls SEC Open Meet. Representing Stillwater, Riser clocked a new lifetime best of 59.32 as she crossed the finish line first. She is currently the #1-ranked 400m in Minnesota's class of 2029.

Kirk, Olson, Hollingsworth, and Riser have moved to #1 in their respective class events rankings. Check out the performances that got them to the top!