Michigan Middle School: Championship Recap

Jun 03, 2026

Michigan middle schoolers competed at the highest level of track & field in the state and the United States! Here are the top marks of the weekend. Congratulations to all the athletes who compete this season, and stay tuned to Michigan MileSplit for continued content during the postseason!

Boys

Israel Izzy Sanders dominated the sprinting field at the 41st Oakland County Middle School Championship. The 8th grader from Zemmer-Rolland-Warner won the 70m, 100m, and 200m titles. All in personal bests, Sanders clocked 8.27 in the 70m, 11.10 in the 100m, and 22.96 in the 200m.

In the pole vault, Adam Ribby recorded the top mark in the state at the Junior Greater Lansing Honor Roll Meet of Champions. From Eaton Rapids, the 7th grader cleared a lifetime best 12-6 as he defended his undefeated season.

The country saw two new state leaders in middle school shot put and discus at the Under Armour Track & Field National at IMG Academy. Lincoln Miller of Birch Run took the silver in both events, throwing a PR of 60-11.75 in the shot put and 192-5.25 in the discus. These are elite throws for the entire state.

At the 41st Oakland County Middle School Championship, Grayson Stiles broke the tape in the boys 400m. The 8th grader from Scripps ran a personal best of 52.28 to claim the victory. Stiles returned to the track and clocked an impressive 23.87 200m to take bronze.

Drew Franken of Holland Christian finished runner-up in the boys' 1600m at the All Weather Seal West Michigan MEGASTAR Meet. The 8th grader recorded a lifetime best of 4:29.14 and later claimed bronze in the boys' 800m in 2:05.24.

Girls

Raylynn Young of Otsego improved her win streak in the shot put at the All Weather Seal West Michigan MEGASTAR Meet. The 8th grader threw a personal record of 46-5 to claim the title. Young has the top mark in the state for the girls' shot put.

Derby's Blakely Bickerstaff completed the sprints triple crown at the 41st Oakland County Middle School Championship. The 8th grader set a new PR in the prelims of the 70m in 8.92 before she went on to win in the final in 8.97. Bickerstaff also set a PR in the 100m dash in 12.15 as she crossed the line in first and a new season's best in the 200m dash in 25.13, claiming three gold medals.

Not too far off Bickerstaff's 100m and 200m performances is 7th grader Bailey James. The standout from Zemmer-Rolland- Warner finished runner-up in both events. James clocked a new lifetime best 12.45 in the 100m and 25.85 in the 200m. Keep an eye out for James as she heads into next season in the sprints.

At the CVL Middle School Meet, Grace King leaped a personal best in a tough field for the girls' triple jump. From Indian River-Inland Lakes, the 8th grader jumped 28-7.25 to achieve a new personal best and middle school #1 mark in the state.

8th grader Marielle Chaignot claimed the 3200m title at the MIHS State Championship. Representing GRTC Peregrines HS, Chaignot recorded a season best 11:02.04 as she broke the tape. A few days earlier at the ALL Weather Seal West Michigan MEGASTAR Meet, Chaignot clocked a 5:04.99 PR in the 1600m, also securing the gold medal.