Future Stars: Michigan's Rising Boys and Girls to Watch

Mar 18, 2026

With several underclassmen and middle school athletes having posted elite marks last season, the future of the state looks bright. Here are a few future stars in Michigan track & field to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Boys

Freshman Zachary Turner is catching attention in the throws after launching 155-4 in the discus. He threw this mark to win at the Byron Center Summer Throw Off meet last September.

Owosso sophomore Eli Worthington is coming off an outstanding freshman year, during which he won the shot put at New Balance Nationals with a mark of 56-6. He is also the top returning discus thrower in Michigan's class of 2028 with a mark of 150-3.00.

In the pole vault, Ben Goran of Spring Lake soared in the vertical event with a clearance of 15-6 during the summer.

Woodhaven-Brownstown sophomore Robert Tolentino is another athlete to watch in the jumps after clearing 6-4 in the high jump and finishing second at the 32nd Annual Warrior Classic.

Girls

Vicksburg sophomore Lyla Veldt proved her strength in the discus, placing second at the Larry Steeb Memorial Meet of Champions with a throw of 117-11.

Payton Maxey is dominant in the throwing ring. The sophomore out of Freeland had marks of 41-3 in the shot and 110-3.00 in the discus during her 2025 season.

The current 8th grader from Novi, Zoe Ghanbari, won the 2025 Michigan AAU Mini Meet with a throw of 37-10 as only a seventh grader.

Muskegon Reeths-Puffer's sophomore, Raquel Walker, made an impact at the state level, earning a bronze medal at the MHSAA Division I State Meet with a mark of 18-7.75 in the long jump.

Boys

Freshman Zachary Turner is catching attention in the throws after launching 155-4 in the discus. He threw this mark to win at the Byron Center Summer Throw Off meet last September.