Powered by a state championship, two additional All-State performances, and a top-10 team finish, the Waseca Bluejays capped off an outstanding 2026 season at the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Track and Field Championships held June 5-6 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
The Bluejay boys accumulated 30 team points to finish 8th overall in the Class AA team standings, continuing a tradition of excellence for a program that has previously captured Class AA state team championships in 2015 and 2023.
Leading the way was senior William Mansfield, who earned the title of Class AA State Champion in the boys pole vault. Mansfield cleared 15 feet, 0 inches to win the event and secure 12 team points for the Bluejays. His championship performance was the highlight of a remarkable season and cemented his place among the state's elite competitors.
Junior Tovin Grannis also delivered an exceptional performance throughout the weekend. After advancing through Friday's preliminary round in the 300-meter hurdles, Grannis returned to the track on Saturday and raced to a second-place finish in the state finals with a personal-best time of 38.33 seconds. The runner-up finish earned All-State honors and added another 10 points to Waseca's team total.
Grannis wasn't finished making an impact.
Later in the meet, he teamed with Sunny Mei, Malachi Noble, and Brady Tlougan in the boys 4x400-meter relay. After winning their preliminary heat on Friday, the quartet returned Saturday and delivered a season-best time of 3:24.99 to place third in Class AA. Their All-State performance added eight more points to Waseca's team score and showcased the depth and talent of the Bluejay sprint program.
In addition to his medal-winning performances, Grannis also competed in the boys high jump, clearing 6 feet, 2 inches to finish 12th overall in a highly competitive field.
The Bluejay girls were represented by the 4x800-meter relay team of Ellie Kopischke, Stella Omtvedt, Ava VanDenHemel, and Maren Schimming. Competing against the top distance runners in Minnesota, the quartet posted a time of 9:58.36 to finish 14th in Class AA. Their state meet appearance capped an outstanding season and reflected the continued growth and success of Waseca's distance program.
Waseca's accomplishments at the state meet were a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and hard work displayed throughout the season by its student-athletes and coaching staff. From Mansfield's state championship in the pole vault to Grannis' runner-up finish in the hurdles and the All-State performance of the boys 4x400-meter relay, the Bluejays once again demonstrated their ability to compete among the very best programs in Minnesota.
Congratulations to William Mansfield, Tovin Grannis, Sunny Mei, Malachi Noble, Brady Tlougan, Ellie Kopischke, Stella Omtvedt, Ava VanDenHemel, and Maren Schimming on an outstanding state meet and a remarkable 2026 season. Their performances brought pride to the Waseca community and added another memorable chapter to the proud tradition of Bluejay Track and Field.