The state meet provided a fitting conclusion to a season defined by individual excellence within a strong team environment. Throughout the spring, our student-athletes supported one another, embraced challenges, and maximized their opportunities. The state meet showcased those qualities one final time as the Spuds competed with confidence, determination, and pride on Minnesota's biggest stage.
Our student-athletes delivered outstanding performances throughout the meet. Nine boys and nine girls earned their way onto the state podium individually or as members of relay teams, earning all-state honors in the process. Zak Walker (100, 200, 4x200, long jump) and Shadrach Zuo (4x100, 4x200, long jump, high jump) owned their opportunities by achieving all-state status in four events, while Audrey Humeniuk secured podium finishes in three events (400, 4x400, 4x800). The state meet also highlighted our team's incredible depth in the relays; both the boys and girls teams placed three different relays on the podium - a feat matched by only one other boys team and three other girls teams in the state.
The girls team provided countless reasons to celebrate throughout the season and at the state meet. Veteran leadership continued to set the standard for the program - exemplified by senior Kaityn Walthers' fourth-place finish in the 100 - while emerging young talent grew and contributed in meaningful ways (eight of the nine all-state girls will return next season). That combination of experience and promise fueled success throughout the spring and leaves the program in a strong position moving forward.
The boys team added another memorable chapter to an already special season by earning state runner-up honors. Their second-place finish was the program's best state result since the 1993 state championship team. The Spuds earned points in eight different events, amassing a total that was just 4.5 points behind champion Cambridge-Isanti and a half-point ahead of defending state champion Hastings. The boys should be incredibly proud of one of the most successful seasons in program history.
While the medals, trophies, and podium finishes were exciting, what stands out most is how our student-athletes embraced every opportunity throughout the season. We are grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm shown by our athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters. The 2026 season provided countless memories, and we are proud of the way the Spuds represented themselves, their teammates, and our community from the first meet to the final event of the year.
The Moorhead boys finished as Class AAA state runners-up, scoring 56.5 points to place second in the team standings, just a half point ahead of Hastings and powered by a state championship from Zak Walker in the long jump. The girls added five All-State efforts across the sprints and relays. Across two days at St. Michael-Albertville, from Thursday prelims into Saturday finals, the Spuds closed the 2026 season with one of the deepest state-meet showings in program history.
Zak Walker authored the meet of the weekend for the Spuds. The junior won the Class AAA long jump title at 23-03.75, took runner-up in the 200 in 21.32, and placed fourth in the 100 final in 10.64, then anchored the 4x200 to a runner-up finish and a new school record. His long jump crown and 200 silver headlined the points haul that carried Moorhead to second in the team race.
Walker had company on the long jump runway. Sophomore Shadrach Zuo placed third at 22-10.75 and added a fourth-place finish in the high jump at 6-04 for an All-State double, while Espen Bement rounded out the Spud trio in 12th at 21-07. Walker and Zuo were the only two boys in all of Class AAA to earn All-State honors in four events, each going a perfect four for four. In the triple jump, freshman Courage Sayiah led Moorhead in 13th at 43-05.75, with Charles Martin 17th at 43-01 and Madison Suah 23rd at 41-10.75.
The relays delivered across the board. The 4x200 of Shadrach Zuo, Edmund Wotoe, Dalton Jones, and Zak Walker ran 1:25.81 to take second and lower the school record again after resetting it in the prelims at 1:26.51. The 4x100 of Madison Suah, Edmund Wotoe, Nicolas Steinert, and Shadrach Zuo earned All-State honors with a ninth-place 42.44, and the 4x800 of Wyatt Myklebust, Oliver Carlson, Conner Copeland, and Eli Schlichting also ran to ninth in 7:58.34. The 4x400 of Dalton Jones, Eli Schlichting, Tavan Schlichting, and Wyatt Myklebust clocked 3:26.30 in the prelims.
Eli Schlichting capped his Spud career with a personal best, running 1:54.96 for seventh in the 800 final, the second-fastest 800 in Moorhead history. Jesse Adatsi represented Moorhead in the 300 hurdle prelims at 41.64.
The Moorhead girls scored 23 points to place 14th in Class AAA, led by Kaityn Walthers and Audrey Humeniuk, whose three All-State finishes (400, 4x400, 4x800) were the most of any Spud girl. Senior Kaityn Walthers placed fourth in the 100 final in 12.18, and freshman Audrey Humeniuk broke through with a personal best 55.84 to take sixth in the 400 final, improving on both her section and prelim times.
The relay corps did the rest. The 4x100 of Romedna Gaye, Quinn Erickson, Nadia Davis, and Kaityn Walthers placed fourth in 47.88 for All-State honors. The 4x400 of Audrey Humeniuk, Avery Marquardt, Lauren Gess, and Lillian Humeniuk took fifth in a school-record 3:55.48, and the 4x800 of Lillian Humeniuk, Lauren Gess, Ellie Rossland, and Audrey Humeniuk added an eighth-place All-State finish in 9:21.22. The 4x200 of Kaityn Walthers, Nadia Davis, Quinn Erickson, and Lillian Humeniuk just missed the final, placing 10th in the prelims in 1:42.04, a season best for the group.
Freshman Ruby Martin carried the Spud flag in the field, competing in the triple jump final and placing 27th at 34-06.75.
Spud Track mom and Probstfield teacher Kit Anderson organized a running club this spring called Kids In Training, bringing together around 50 young Spuds from the elementary grades. The group capped its training with a run at the Fargo Marathon 5K, and along the way the kids met with and learned from a number of guest runners, including our own Coach Hanson.
It is great to see so many young Spuds excited about running, and it is one more sign that the future of Spuds track and field is bright! Thanks to Kit and the Spud families who made this happen for the next generation of Spud runners and track athletes.
We are both sad and grateful to report that Ron is stepping down as head girls coach. Sad, because Spud Track will not be the same without him on the infield, and grateful for everything he has poured into the program over the years.
Ron has led Spud Track with the enthusiasm and kindness that only Ron can bring. We are thankful for his stewardship of one of Moorhead High's most successful and storied programs, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter. Ron has been as committed and excited as they come, and we are certain he will remain the biggest Spud Track fan around.
Thank you to the families who drove to meets near and far and cheered through every condition, to the sponsors and donors, and to everyone who supported the Spuds in the stands or followed along from afar. The 2026 Spuds felt that support at every meet, and we are grateful for all of it.
Permanently subscribe to the newsletter and get Spuds updates every fall and spring, from cross country through track season.