The All-Decade track and field top 20. Rankings are based off of state qualifications and section/state success, which also includes True Team. Athletes who graduated in 2010 aren’t as regarded. One makes the list anyway. Because of time restraints and coaching changes, only a couple coaches were reached for comment. For rankings 21-35, go to www.fillmorecountyjournal.com/sports. Rankings are subject to debate!
All-Decade Track and Field
#1) Noah Carlson (2013-2017, RPH): The county’s most decorated and known track and field athlete of the decade. Despite missing most of his senior year, Carlson won eight TRC titles, seven section titles, and five state titles. He was Class A Triple Jump (48’4”) and Long Jump (22’11 ¼”) state champion in 2015, T-Jump (48’2”), L-Jump (23’0 ¼”), and 200-meter state champion (22.38) in 2016. He made state four times in the T-Jump (including as an 8th grader), three times in the L-Jump, twice in the 200, and once in the 400. Among his records: the RPH T-Jump (48’4”) and 200-meter marks (22.04), the Section 1A Meet L-Jump (22’11 ¾”) and T-Jump (47’8”) marks. Joined with Matt Culhane and Trevor Lundberg to win the individual state meet team title in 2016. Signed letter and matriculated to Michigan for track and field for a spell after high school.
#2) Maddy Kammer (2011-2015, Chatfield): Has the most state track and field trips (11) within the decade. Competed on seven relays, two 200s, and two 400s. As a sophomore in 2013, she was twice a state champion, in the 400-meters (57.79) and via the 4×200 (1:44.79). She was a runner-up twice, amidst the 2014 4×200 (1:46.01) and the 2015 4×100 (49.30). Kammer twice took third (as an 8th grader), amidst 2011’s 4×100 and 4×200 teams. She also added a fourth and a fifth (2012’s 4×200 and 4×100). She’s at the top of Chatfield’s record books in the 400 (57.76), 4×100 (49.30), and 4×200 (1:44.79). Won 11 TRC titles. Coach Jeff DeBuhr; “One of the most natural runners I’ve ever seen. She had an effortless form that made it look like she was out for an easy run, but she was really moving. She is one of the best athletes I have worked with in nearly 20 years of coaching the sport.”
#3) Jordan Jarland (2007-2010, LFCMC): Makes the list because his one year in the decade alone qualifies him. He won state titles in the 300-hurdles (38.76) and Long Jump (23’3”) as a senior in 2010. Qualified for state individual meet nine total times, including four times as a junior (400, T-Jump, 4×200, 4×400). Notched two state runner-ups as a sophomore, the 4×200 (1:30.03) and 4×400 (3:24.05). Owns, or is part of, six FC records; 300-H (40.25), L-Jump (22’9 ¾”), High Jump (6’3”), Triple Jump (44’1”), 4×200 (1:29.86), and 4×400 (3:24.05). Also made state thrice amidst LFCMC True Team entrants in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
#4) Erin Kammer (2007-2012, Chatfield): Has the most state qualifications (12) of anyone on this list. Kammer was a huge cog to the late 2000’s, early 2010’s, Gopher relay dynasty. She went to state five times amidst a 4×100, five times amidst a 4×200, and twice amidst a 4×400. As an 8th grader and frosh, she qualified thrice (4×100, 4×200, and 4×400). Kammer never won a state title, but she took second twice amidst 2008’s 4×100 (49.99) and 4×200 (1:46.28). She also had three thirds (2009’s 4×200, 2011’s 4×100 and 4×200), a fourth, and a fifth. Teamed up with sister Maddy at state for four different relays. A part of Chatfield’s 4×400 record holder.
#5) Jayme LaPlante (2012-2014, Chatfield): A four-time state entrant, but pulled off the dual-state-title achievement as a senior. LaPlante won Class A Shot Put (56’11 ½”) and Discus state titles (162’8”) in 2014. He (unofficially) won every shot and discus event he competed in as a senior. The 6’3”, 225-pound athlete also was state runner-up in the Discus as a junior (167’9”) while taking eighth in the Shot Put. He owns the Chatfield Discus record (176’11”) and is in the Gopher shot put honor roll. Coach DeBuhr: “An all-around exceptional athlete, he was not only the best thrower in the state, but also the fastest sprinter in our program his senior year.”
#6) Lauren Buchholtz (2016-2019, GMLOKS): Had seven total state qualifications (five relays, L-Jump, 400), plus the 2019 GMLOKS girls’ True Team. Buchholtz won state titles in 2018 (1:45.23) and 2019 (1:44.47) amidst GMLOKS’ 4×200 teams. She also took third amidst a 4×100 (2019) and a 4×200 (2017). She was a triple state qualifier as a senior (L-Jump, 4×100, 4×200). It was her fourth trip with the 4×200. The 2018 4×200 incarnation holds the GMLOKS program record and the Section 1A Meet record (1.44.54).
#7) Emma Breitsprecher (2016-2020, LFCMC): LFCMC’s busiest t/f athlete of the decade with 11 total qualifications (despite no senior year). She was on three True Team state teams and went to the individual meet eight times. Emma B. thrice went in the 300-hurdles and via 4x400s, twice for the 100-hurdles. She finished third twice (300-H) and fourth once (100-H). All three 4x400s made the medal stand. Holds FC’s two hurdles records and is a part of the 4×400 record team. Coach Jana Boyum: “She performs. (Emma) works hard and there’s a reason she’s one of the best hurdlers in the state.” Breitsprecher is headed to WSU for track and field.
#8) Autum Erickson (2012-2015, Chatfield): Amassed seven state trips despite missing her senior year to injury. Erickson went five times amidst Gopher relays and twice alone in the 100. She won a state title (1:44.79) within the Chatfield 4×200 as a freshman (2013). She was also on second place teams as a sophomore (4×200, 1:46.1) and junior (4×100, 0:49.30). Of her seven trips, six finished top six. A part of Chatfield’s 4×100 and 4×200 record holders. Coach DeBuhr: “Ran on varsity long enough that she just considered the state meet part of the schedule. A star that at times was overshadowed by Maddy (Kammer), but (Autum) never complained.”
#9) Matt Culhane (2014-2016, RPH): A four-time state entrant in the throws (thrice discus, once shot put), the 6’8”, 300-pounder naturally tossed for long distances. He finished top three in all of his discus state meets; third in 2014, second in 2015 (169’2”), and second in 2016 (161’4”). His one state shot put effort produced a second (56’6 ½”) too. He was double state runner-up in 2016, as well as dual TRC champ. Holds the RPH shot put (56’6 ½”) and discus (181’1”) records. Won an individual state team tourney title (with Carlson and Lundberg).
#10) Nichole Clemens (2007-2011, Chatfield): A major cog in multiple Gopher relays in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Clemens made state 10 times over five years. Joined Erin Kammer in qualifying thrice in 2008 and 2009 (4×100, 4×200, 4×400). Clemens was twice state runner-up in 2008 amidst the 4×100 (49.99) and 4×200 (1:46.28). Finished third three times (2009’s 4×200, 2011’s 4×100 and 4×200). Co-holds the Gopher 4×400 record.
#11) Ashley Baker (2011-2014, Chatfield): Another in the Gopher sprint relay dynasty, Baker ran at state six times. She won a state title in 2013 (4×200, 1:44.79), was runner-up in 2014 (4×200, 1:46.1), had two thirds in 2011 (4×100 and 4×200), a fourth (4×200), and a fifth (4×100) both in 2012. Coach DeBuhr: “Sprained her ankle the night before the conference meet. She ran the 4×100, earned All-Conference, and went to the trainer who pulled her from the meet. Ashley said there was no way she was going to the trainer until after she made All-Conference! Such a tough kid.”
#12) Ashley Miner (2015-2018, LFCMC): A seven-time total state qualifier, twice with LFCMC True Teams. Miner thrice qualified for state as a senior (100, Pole Vault, 4×400). She thrice went to state with an LFCMC 4×400. Her highest finishes were sixth three times (4×400 in 2016 & 2017, P-Vault in 2018). She’s atop FC’s record books in the 200 (26.89), 400 (60.75), P-Vault (10’3”), 4×200 (1:47.17), and 4×200 (4:02.28). Coach Boyum: “Her sort of versatility added great depth and security to the team. She could do it all, and do it well.”
#13) McKenzie Kirtz (2010-2015, GMLOS/GMLOKS): The distance runner with the longest line of credentials on this list, Kirtz made state four straight years from 2012-2015. She thrice went in the 1,600 and twice in the 800 (qualifying for each her junior and senior years). She also made it amidst the GMLOS 4×400 in 2013. All of her finishes are in the 7-10 ranges, but she competed at sections all six years. She holds Southland’s 800 (2:19.42), 1,600 (5:10.11), and 3,200-meter records (12:17.16) as of 2017, setting all her senior year.
#14) Anika Reiland (2018-current, GMLOKS): The youngest on this list, all Reiland did in ‘middle school’ was make state four times and win a pair of state titles. She was part of the GMLOKS 2018 and 2019 4×200 championship teams (see Buchholtz). She also took third at state amidst the 2019 4×100. If it not for a disqualification amidst 2018’s state 4×100, Reiland could have a super crazy pedigree all before her freshman year. Also went to state amidst GMLOKS girls True Team in 2019. A part of the multiple record-holding 4×200 team.
#15) Drew Lewison (2015-2018, GMLOKS): The top boy’s hurdler on this list, he swept section titles in the 110-hurdles and 300-hurdles his junior and senior years. His best state finish was 300-H state runner-up in 2018 (39.25). He also took fifth (2017 300-H) and sixth (2018, 110-H). Holds Southland’s 110-H and 300-H records.
#16) Riley Queensland (2017-2019, GMLOKS): Joined Buchholtz and Reiland in winning a pair of 4×200 state titles (see Buchholtz). On top of those two state titles (sophomore and junior years), she was part of the third place 4×200 (freshman). Like Buchholtz/Reiland, a part of the record-holding GMLOKS 4×200. Also a part of the 2019 GMLOKS state True Team. Misses her senior year per COVID-19.
#17) Emily Hovden (2015-2018, GMLOKS): Made five state trips within GMLOKS relay teams. Joined with Buchholtz, Queensland, and Reiland to take home the 2018 4×200 state title, setting records. Took third amidst the GMLOKS 4×200 in 2017. Went to state three straight years with the 4×200, back-to-back years with the 4×100.
#18) Carson Kiehne (2018-present, LFCMC): Pulled the rare guy-feat of making it to state as a frosh (7th 400). Then came back as a sophomore and triple qualified. He took third (4×400), sixth (400), and seventh (4×200). Helped the LFCMC boys make True Team state the same two years.
#19) Bailey Ruen (2015-2018, LFCMC): A key cog to five LFCMC girls’ state relay teams plus two state True Teams. Ruen twice qualified as a sophomore and junior within the 4×400 and 4×800. As a senior, she made it amidst the 4×400. All five teams finished either sixth or seventh. The first four state relay teams she ran with sister Leah, and the last one with other sister Brielle.
#20) Leah Ruen (2016-2017, LFCMC): Joined sister Bailey, Breitsprecher, and Miner to lead the LFCMC girls team distance running dynasty from 2016-2017. Ruen double qualified for state in both her junior and senior years amidst the 4×400 and 4x800s. All four teams finished either sixth or seventh. She was also a part of LFCMC girls’ first state True Team in 2017.
#21) Mariah Bell (2013-2017, Chatfield): Made state a trio of times early in her track career. Included was a state 4×200 title in 2013 as an 8th grader (with Kammer, Erickson, and Baker) and a state 4×100 runner-up in 2015. Bell also individually qualified in the 200 in 2013.
#22) Hailey Hindt (2017-present, GMLOKS): Makes the list due to one real good sophomore year. Hindt joined Buchholtz, Reiland, and Queensland in winning the 4×200 state title in 2019. She also took fourth in the 300-hurdles the same year and was part of GMLOKS state True Team. Missed her junior year per COVID-19.
#23) Ashley Agrimson (2014-2017, RPH): A two-time state entrant in the Long Jump, Agrimson went as a sophomore and as a senior. She took fifth and fourth respectively. Each of those years, she won the TRC L-Jump title, setting the conference mark in 2017. She also holds the RPH mark (17’8”).
#24) Olivia Haug (2013-2015, LFCMC): One or two on the list of ‘top female throwers’ of the decade, Haug thrice qualified for state in the discus. She finished fourth as a junior and sixth as a senior.
#25) Ben Muller (2016-2020, Chatfield): The Gophers busiest male relay runner of the decade, Muller made state four times. He went twice in 2017 as a frosh with Chatfield’s 4×100 and 4×200 and twice in 2019 with the same two teams. He thrice made the medal stand.
#26) Anna Sweet (2013-2016, RPH): Houston’s only track athlete on the list, Sweet was a 100 and 200-meter race winner contender for a trio of years. She made state twice in the 100 (2014, 2016) and once in the 200 (2015). As a sophomore, she finished fifth. Likely holds the RPH 200-meter record (26.2).
#27) Kyndra Neis (2010-2012, Chatfield): Four-time state qualifier in the throw events (thrice shot put, once discus), competes with Haug for best female thrower on the list. Neis never placed in her four trips to state. She won back-to-back TRC discus and shot put titles in 2011 and 2012.
#28) Kiera Olson (2013-2017, LFCMC): Made state a trio of times, once as a sophomore in the 3,200, twice amidst LFCMC’s 4×800 teams as a junior and senior. Took eighth, sixth, and seventh respectively. Finished top six at sections in the 3,200-meters five straight years. #29) Sydney Bendtsen (2011-2016, GMLOS/GMLOKS): A six-year varsity track athlete, thrice made state. Bendtsen when on GMLOS 4×400’s in 2012 and 2013, the GMLOKS 4×200 in 2016. All three teams finished either ninth or tenth at state. Shares the Southland 4×400 record, set in 2012.
#30) Kassidy Kirtz (2016-2019, GMLOKS): Perennial runner in the 4×100, which made state three straight years from 2017-2019. The squad’s best finish was third in 2019.
#31) Isabelle Olson (2017-2020, GMLOKS): Joined Kassidy Kirtz as a perennial member of the GMLOKS 4×100 squads that thrice made state, best finish third in 2019. Lost her senior year to COVID-19.
#32) Gage Tuohy (2016-2019, Chatfield): Made state thrice all amidst Gopher relay squads. Went twice as a sophomore in 2017 via the 4×100 and 4×200. Made a return to state two years later as a senior amidst Chatfield’s seventh place 4×100 squad. Won TRC relay titles (4×200, 4×400) as a frosh and sophomore.
#33), #34), #35) Josh Peters/Ben Snyder/Drew Wyffels (2019, LFCMC): The trio joined with Kiehne to lead a pair of LFCMC relay teams to state, the 4×200 and 4×400 in 2019. The 4×400 took third, the 4×200 seventh.
With the expansion of the Fillmore County Journal, its sports section will also expand into new markets. We look forward to this additional coverage.
Tim S says
When will 21-35 be posted?