2A Girls Track & Field: Repeat Champions Highlight Day 1 of State Championships

LAKEWOOD – Brooke Schmidt knew Thursday wasn’t the best performance she’s ever had.

The senior from Wiggins wasn’t complaining, though.

Schmidt won the Class 2A title in the girls shot put at the state track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium, defending her title from a year ago.

“I won a state title,” she said. “I was really hoping to get the record because my past few meets, I’ve been really close to breaking it, and my PR was the record. But in the end, I’m really happy for getting a state champ, and my senior year having my dad and my whole family here to support me.”

Schmidt had a winning throw of 41 feet, 2.25 inches. Her personal record and the state meet record is 43-3. Still, Schmidt didn’t have much trouble winning. She got her winning throw on her first attempt. Burlington’s Emma McNerney was second, at 36-10.

“That felt really good,” she said of her winning throw. “I just went in there nice and relaxed and just let it go and it was really nice.”

She felt some pressure the rest of the way, though, and fouled on each of her last four attempts.

“As I kept going, I started getting more and more tense,” said Schmidt, who will compete at Abilene Christian next year. “In the end, I’m really happy with it, and I’m going to college, so I’m really excited to keep going there.”

A six-time state medalist, Schmidt will go after a second-straight discus title on Friday.

Kailey Pearson of Swallows Charter was also a repeat champion, winning the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 11.5 inches.

“It feels great,” the senior said. “Just coming back here is a lot of fun, and being able to compete against new people, and just kind of continue to push yourself and shock what you can do is really impressive.”

Pearson medaled in four events last year at state and was pleased to kick off her senior meet with another state title.

“I think I’ve improved a lot,” she said. “Having this as my last year, I’m just really proud and thankful for all my coaches and everyone that’s helped me along the way.

“I’m very proud. I know I can still go more (in the long jump), but, you know, I’m very proud of it. It’s a lot better than last year, so I’ll take it.”

Sedgwick County senior Lainee Nein was second, at 16-10.5. She was also runner-up in the long jump in 2024 and third place in 2025.

In the 4×800 meter relay, Telluride had a strong kick in the final 100 meters to surge to the title. The Miners finished in 9 minutes, 44.46 seconds to outlast Heritage Christian, which was seeded first coming in and finished in 9:47.64.

For both teams, it was a season-best time, but the Telluride foursome of Lana Kenworthy, Liv Speck, Ruby Cieciuch and Austin Cook cruised to the title.

After the first day, and three vents, Sedgwick County and Wiggins are tied for the lead in the team standings, with 13 points. Wray is third, with 12 points.