Preview: Top Returners in Michigan Track & Field

Michigan's field events are stacked with talent heading into the 2026 season. With state champions, national finalists, and elite marks across the board, this group of returners is set to make a major impact this spring.

Boys

North Branch senior Eli Bickel leads the throws group as the top returning discus athlete in the state after launching 186-1 to finish 9th at New Balance Nationals. He also added a strong 54-4.50 mark in the shot put.

Andre Neumann returns as the top shot putter in Michigan after throwing 58-4.00 to win the Lakes Valley Conference championship. The White Lake Lakeland senior also posted a 174-1 mark in the discus, making him one of the most complete throwers in the state.

Stevensville-Lakeshore junior Declin Doroh emerged as one of Michigan's top high jumpers after clearing 6-10 last season, putting him among the elite returners in the vertical jump.

Warren Michigan Collegiate's Tayden Redding finished as the MHSAA Division 3 state runner-up in the high jump with a clearance of 6-9.

Another standout from Stevensville-Lakeshore, junior Kaden Griffiths returns as the reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champion in the long jump after soaring to 24-0.25.

East Kentwood senior Reece Emeott headlines the pole vault after capturing the MHSAA Division 1 state title with a clearance of 16-0.

Girls

Grand Haven senior Isabelle Robbins returns as one of the top pole vaulters in the state after clearing 13-1.50. Robbins finished runner-up at both the MHSAA Division 1 state meet and at New Balance Nationals.

Grand Ledge senior Katherine Blue is another elite vaulter for Michigan on the national stage, reaching 13-0.75 and placing sixth at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Stevensville-Lakeshore junior Leigha Whitman enters the season as the defending MHSAA Division 2 state champion in the long jump after winning the title as a sophomore with a mark of 18-11.50.

Menominee senior Emily Schuettpeltz stands out in the high jump after clearing 5-10 last season, one of the top returning marks in Michigan.

Holland's Alba Rodriguez-Lima returns as the reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champion in the high jump after clearing 5-7.

Montrose junior Addyson Stiverson leads the throws after winning the MHSAA Division 3 state title in the shot put with a mark of 50-9.25. She also placed second in the discus with a throw of 153-5.00.

Traverse City Central's Lorelai Zielinski is another top thrower, posting marks of 164-9 in the discus and 49-2.50 in the shot put. She and Stiverson battled back and forth, both finishing in the top two in their respective events.