05/28/2026
Kinsey Zorn and Macy Patterson mentioned in girls 3A state preview!
SPORTS IN KANSAS 2026 3A GIRLS STATE TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW
3A girls may once again produce some of the biggest performances of the entire Kansas state meet as elite sprinters, nationally respected field event athletes, loaded relays and championship-level depth headline one of the deepest classifications in the state.
It is extremely important to note all marks listed throughout this preview are regional performances only and not season bests. Several athletes across 3A have gone significantly faster, higher or farther earlier this spring which could make the state meet even more competitive than the current seeds suggest.
Regional champions last week included Beloit, Osage City, Frontenac and Hesston, four programs that once again appear positioned for major weekends in Wichita.
SPRINTS
The sprint races should be among the best in Kansas regardless of classification and once again all marks listed are regional performances only.
Hesston superstar Ashley Lehman enters Wichita as one of the premier athletes in Kansas history regardless of classification. Lehman leads regional marks in the 100 at 12.16 and the 200 at 24.73 based on regional marks while also leading the pole vault field at 11 feet. She remains capable of massive point totals and once again looks poised for one of the top all-around weekends of the meet.
Hoisington’s Marley Bittel, Riverton’s Amberly Youngblood, Wellsville standout Ellie Strain and Smoky Valley’s Braelyn Whittaker headline an outstanding sprint field behind Lehman.
The 400 features tremendous depth. Osawatomie’s Avaya O’Brien enters with the top regional mark at 1:00.05 while Hoisington’s Bittel, Wichita Trinity’s Macie Gifford and Smoky Valley’s Brylie Ricketts all remain close behind. Lehman has also gone well under her regional mark earlier this season and remains one of the favorites as one of the all time greats. Don’t be surprised to see several records from her this weekend.
HURDLES
The hurdle races may completely shift the team standings and feature elite talent from top to bottom.
Wellsville’s Ellie Strain enters as one of the classification’s biggest stars after posting the top regional marks in both hurdle events at 14.47 in the 100 hurdles and 44.93 in the 300 hurdles.
Beloit standout Dakota Gray sits right behind and continues to establish herself as one of the premier all-around athletes in 3A. Gray remains a major contender in hurdles, jumps and relays while helping power Beloit into serious championship contention.
Lakin’s Aryn Michaelis, Perry-Lecompton’s Macie Corcoran and Southeast of Saline’s Elliana Smith headline a loaded hurdle field capable of producing several state-title level performances.
DISTANCE
Distance races once again feature tremendous depth throughout the classification and several runners enter Wichita with season-best marks stronger than their regional seeds.
Wichita Trinity standout Tylee Coleman enters with the top regional marks in both the 1600 and 3200 after running 5:11.46 and 11:43.78. Hesston’s Reese Quinn, Cimarron’s Jyntri Wilson and Frontenac standout Emerson Albright all remain within striking distance in what should become one of the best distance weekends in Kansas.
Frontenac’s Emerson Albright gives the Raiders major scoring potential across multiple distance events and relays while helping position Frontenac as a legitimate team trophy contender.
The 800 appears extremely competitive as Jefferson West’s Brynlee Koontz enters with the top regional mark at 2:22.27 while Russell’s Kinsey Zorn, Southeast of Saline’s Piper Brown and several others remain tightly packed behind her.
RELAYS
Relays may ultimately determine the team race and many teams have season-best performances stronger than their regional marks.
Halstead enters with the top regional 4x100 mark at 49.08 while Garden Plain, Beloit and Chaparral all remain right behind.
The 4x400 could become one of the premier relay races of the weekend as Marysville, Osage City, Scott Community and Perry-Lecompton all enter nearly even based on regional marks alone.
Riley County headlines the 4x800 after running 9:47.74 at regionals while Scott Community and Norton Community also enter below 10 minutes. Hesston, Osage City and Southeast of Saline all appear capable of major relay points as well.
FIELD EVENTS
The field events in 3A once again feature some of the top overall athletes in Kansas regardless of classification.
Frontenac sophomore Reece Franklin enters as one of the top field event athletes in the state after already clearing 5-8.25 earlier in her career while returning as the defending 3A high jump champion. Franklin enters state tied for the top regional high jump mark at 5-6 alongside Lakin’s Aryn Michaelis and also ranks near the top in triple jump and long jump.
Franklin and Emerson Albright give Frontenac a real opportunity to bring home team hardware and potentially finish among the top three teams in 3A.
Beloit appears loaded throughout the field events and enters Wichita as one of the heavy favorites to contend for a state championship. Dakota Gray, Autumn Lorenz, Samantha Thompson, Bently Pruitt, Brecken Boudreaux and others give Beloit elite versatility across throws, jumps, relays and hurdles.
Osage City standout Kaelyn Boss enters discus with the top regional throw at 146-5 while also ranking near the top in shot put and javelin. Beloit’s Samantha Thompson, Riverton’s Savannah Mathews and Russell’s Macy Patterson headline another loaded throwing field.
Lorenz leads javelin at 141-9 while Osage City’s Boss, Prairie View’s Laramie Stevens and Nemaha Central’s Ali Henry all remain firmly in contention.
The jumps are absolutely loaded as well. Beloit’s Brecken Boudreaux leads long jump at 17-10.25 while Michaelis headlines triple jump at 37-9.5. Riley County’s Sarah Effiong, Frontenac’s Franklin and Hesston’s Maddy Colborn all remain within striking distance.
TEAM RACE
The team race appears completely open entering Wichita although Beloit may possess the best overall balance in the classification.
Beloit’s depth across hurdles, throws, jumps, relays and sprints gives the Trojans legitimate championship upside while Hesston’s elite star power behind Ashley Lehman keeps the Swathers firmly in contention.
Frontenac appears positioned for a major weekend behind the versatility of Reece Franklin and Emerson Albright while Osage City, Southeast of Saline and Wellsville all possess strong overall balance capable of producing trophy-level finishes.
Programs such as Riley County, Garden Plain, Marysville, Hoisington, Scott Community and Lakin also appear capable of putting together huge weekends.
With these marks only representing regional performances, expect several athletes and relay teams to elevate to another level once the state meet begins in Wichita.
