Freshman high jumpers proved their ability at the 2025 3A State Championship, with three placing in the top eight. Raelyn Rundle nearly claimed the title, finishing second with a 4'10" jump. MaKaelah Green followed in third, while Erin Akins of Mountain View placed seventh, both clearing 4'8".
In the triple jump, only two freshmen placed: Green in seventh and Kenzie Burris in eighth. The event was dominated by older athletes, raising the question of whether these young talents will be able to add the distance needed with age and experience. With only two seniors graduating from the top eight, freshmen will need to improve by about two feet to challenge for a championship spot.
The long jump wasn't much kinder to the ninth graders. Harleigh McGuire was the lone freshman to place, taking eighth. Adverse weather conditions at the state meet likely played a role, as many athletes fell short of their personal bests.
Pole vault could be one of the most exciting events to watch in 2026 - not just for the sophomore class, but across 3A. Kinsley Hollensworth set the standard for freshmen with a 9'4" PR, giving her the top freshman mark by several inches and ranking fourth in 3A overall. Avery Beauchamp and Emily Schmedl each cleared 8'0" at state, tying for the second-best freshman mark. These performances were especially impressive given the challenging conditions for vaulters on meet day.
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High Jump - 2026 Sophomore Girls
Taige Norwood - Greenland - Was the only freshman to clear 5'0". This mark was set at the Mansfield Tiger Relays, which she won. She followed that performance with a 4'10" jump, placing third at the Van Buren Pointer Relays.
Makaelah Green - McGehee - An all-around athlete who had a PR of 4'11" at the Arkansas Heptathlon, the seventh-best jump in the field. She placed third at the 3A State Meet (4'8") and won both the 3A Region 8 Junior and Senior District Meets with identical jumps of 4'10".
Lakyn Muhl - Genoa Central - Jumped 4'6" as an eighth grader and improved to 4'10" as a freshman. Won the 3A Region 7 Junior Meet with a 4'8" clearance, then claimed the Region 7 Senior Meet title with her PR of 4'10".
Abby Smith - Mansfield - Won the 3A Region 4 Junior High District title at 4'10" and placed third in the Region 4 Senior High Meet with a 4'8" jump. Also ranked among the top 10 freshman times in the 100m and 300m hurdles.
Raelyn Ruddle - CAC - Capped her freshman season with a second-place finish in the high jump at the 3A State Meet. Placed in four events at State-100m, 300m hurdles, high jump, and pole vault. Matched her PR of 4'10" at both the 3A State Meet and the 3A Region 5 Senior High Meet, placing her among the top six best freshman jumps in 2025.
Alli Carroll - Charleston - Placed second at the Booneville Bearcats Junior Relays with a jump of 4'10", finishing behind eighth grader Paisley Hogan of Greenwood, who cleared 5'0".
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Long Jump - 2026 Sophomore Girls
Kaelyn Miller - Drew Central - Her name appears on several lists of the top 2025 freshman athletes, and the long jump is no exception. She leads the sophomore-to-be list with a PR of 17-3.5 at the Monticello Junior Billies Meet. Won the 3A Region 8 Junior title (16-4.5) and the Senior Meet (16-4).
Makaelah Green - McGehee - Looks to challenge Drew Central's Kaelyn Miller in the 8A Region for the next three years. Jumped 16-8 at the Junior Billie Relays and placed second at both the Junior (15-1) and Senior Region 8 District Meets (15-9).
Kenzie Burris - Genoa Central - In addition to placing 5th in the 300m hurdles at the 3A State Meet, Kenzie posted a PR of 16-2.75 in the long jump at the Region 7 Senior District Meet.
Marlee Titsworth - Dover - One of the finest freshman track and field athletes, she set a PR of 15-11 at the 3A Region 5 Senior High Meet, placing fourth, and also won the Region 5 Junior High Meet.
Ruby Adkins - Harmony Grove - Recorded a season-best jump of 15-10.5 at the Junior Cardinal relays..
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Triple Jump - 2026 Sophomore Girls
Makaelah Green - McGehee - Finished first with a PR of 33-4 at the Monticello Junior Billies Relays. Won the 3A Region 8 title (33-2) and placed seventh at the 3A State Meet.
Peyton Horstknap - Harmony Grove - Set a PR of 32-6.5 at the Heber Springs Last Chance Relays and placed third at the 3A Region 7 Senior District Meet.
Kenzie Burris - Genoa Central - Won the Region 7 Senior Meet with a PR of 33-0.5 and placed eighth at the 3A State Meet.
Marlee Titsworth - Dover - Another top freshman performer, she also excelled at the 2025 Heptathlon. Her PR of 31-5 came at the Region 5 Junior District Meet.
Katelyn Miller - Drew Central - Recorded a PR of 32-10 at the 3A Region 8 Senior Meet.
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Pole Vault - 2026 Sophomore Girls
Kinsley Hollensworth - Genoa Central - Her 9'4" vault at the 3A State Meet was an impressive freshman mark, placing her fourth. Won the Region 7 Senior High Meet at 9'1", a strong improvement from an early-season 8'0". Also ran a 13.62 in the 100m.
Avery Beauchamp - CAC - Won the 3A Region 5 Senior High District Meet and tied for sixth at the 3A State Meet with a vault of 8'0".
Emily Schmedl - Jessieville - Placed second in both the Region 5 Junior and Senior High Championships. Matched her PR of 8'0" at the 3A State Meet, tying for sixth with Avery Beauchamp.