Early Season Standouts: Michigan Middle School Track & Field

Michigan middle school track & field saw strong performances across the state this past week. Check out what you may have missed.

Boys

Linkon Utter turned in a strong run in the quarter mile, clocking 1:02.59 to place second at the Lansing Catholic Early Invite. The Holland Calvary eighth grader's time is one of the top early marks for the 400m.

Zeke Lindell, the eighth grader representing West Michigan Homeschool, competed in the half mile at the Birds of Prey Invitational, running 2:35.71 to place eighth. Lindell is currently ranked 3rd for the middle school boys' 800m.

Jaxon Debose of GRTC Peregrines led the way in the high jump, clearing 4-8 to win at the Birds of Prey Invitational. Debose is the current top sixth-grader in the vertical jump early this season.

Gavin Leggett delivered a standout performance in the pole vault, clearing 8-0 to win at the Reading at Pittsford meet. The Pittsford eighth grader is your current middle school leader in the event so far.

Eighth grader Joseph Duncan of GRTC Peregrines showcased his stamina and strength on both the track and the field, via an unlikely event pairing. Duncan placed fourth in the shot put with a mark of 26-7 while also clocking 2:41.21 in the 800m at the Birds of Prey Invitational.

Girls

Charleigh Koert impressed across multiple events at the Birds of Prey Invitational, winning the 400m in 1:12.58 while also placing fifth in the 800m with a time of 2:59.13. The West Michigan Homeschool sixth grader leads all of Michigan middle school athletes in the quarter mile.

Marielle Chaignot turned in a strong effort in the half mile, running 2:34.75 to win at the Birds of Prey Invitational. The GRTC Peregrines eighth grader established herself as an early name to watch in the 800m.

Kate Perry of Hillsdale Academy competed in both sprint events at the Hillsdale Jack Beilfuss Invitational, running 14.61 (-1.8) in the 100m and 30.56 (-2.6) in the 200m. The eighth grader ranks among the top ten middle schoolers in the state in both events.

Seventh grader Loula Mojica of GRTC Peregrines led the way in the high jump, clearing 3-6 to co-win at the Birds of Prey Invitational. Annie Miller, a sixth grader from GRTC Peregrines, matched that mark in the high jump, also clearing 3-6 to tie Mojica's performance.