The 2026 MPLS Middle School Championship, held at Minneapolis South High, was an exciting meet involving close races and standout marks from the state's younger stars. Congratulations to every athlete who competed this season, and stay tuned to Minnesota Milesplit with more postseason articles throughout the summer!
MPLS Middle School Championship Results
Boy Champions
As a 6th grader, Charles Krocak of Sanford Middle School ran a personal best in the 800m to take the silver medal. The youngster clocked an impressive 2:28.40 to beat out the experienced field.
Julian Baldwin is your 200m dash MPLS Champion. The 8th grader from Olson Middle School ran 25.74 in the final to take the gold. Baldwin also ran the 100m dash, finishing in second place with a 12.54.
In the 100m, Baldwin was edged out by 8th grader Abdulrahman Alsaady at the line. Representing Andersen United Middle School, Alsaady recorded a 12.28 to take the win in the tight race. He later stepped onto the runway, leaping 15-7 to take the bronze in the triple jump.
It was another close competition in the boys' long jump final. Jeremy Gray of Northeast Middle School came away with the title, leaping a lifetime best of 15-11 to claim the gold. The 8th grader also finished runner-up in the 200m dash in 26.74 and 5th in the 100m dash in 12.94.
In the throws ring, Ira Cords dominated the field in the shot put. The 8th grader from Justice Page Middle School threw a personal record of 32-9.5 to win the competition by over 3 ft.
Girl Champions
Rielle Ziegler dominated the sprinting field, winning both the 100m dash and 200m dash. From Anthony Middle School, the 8th grader clocked a 13.88 in the 100m and 29.23 in the 200m to claim the title of Minnesota's fastest middle schooler.
At the top of the state in the 400m and 800m is 6th grader Matea Lamboglia. From Andersen United Middle School, Lamboglia ran a personal best for the 400m in 1:07.39 to defeat the field. She returned to the track, doubling her distance and running 2:56.23 to win the 800m.
Another 6th grader in the mix for the girls' 800m was Mina Hertsgaard. Running for Sanford Middle School, Hertsgaad just missed gold by half a second, running 2:56.82 to take second in the tight race.
Carmen Brown, a 7th grader from Andersen United Middle School, won the girls' long jump title. In a new personal record, Brown won the competition with a jump of 14-3. She leads her class in the long jump this outdoor season.
Rounding out our star group of middle school athletes is the state's newest MPLS shot put champion, Margee Negeso. From Sullivan STEAM School, the 8th grader dominated the field by over 4 feet, throwing a lifetime best of 28-11 to claim the gold.