Emporia opened its 2026 track and field season Saturday with a strong showing at the ESU High School Relays at Welch Stadium, as the Spartan boys finished second overall and the girls placed third.
Ben Collins led the way for Emporia with a first-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles, clocking in at 15.32. He also added a second-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.69.
Chance Duncan turned in a solid all-around performance in the throwing events, earning silver medals in both the shot put and discus. The junior also picked up a bronze medal in the javelin.
In the field events, Cohen Blomquist secured a second-place finish in the pole vault, while James Weast took third. Garrett LeBlanc contributed with a second-place leap in the triple jump at 41-11.50 and added a third-place finish in the long jump at 20-04.
On the track, Collins teamed with LeBlanc, Gavin Jennings, and Rylan Crowell to claim second place in the 4×100-meter relay.
For the Emporia girls, Paige Newland highlighted the day with a pair of gold medals, winning the long jump with a mark of 18-01 and the triple jump at 36-10.
Madison Evans earned a second-place finish in the 3200-meter run, while Emma Beatty took third in both the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs.
In the high jump, Allison Aeschliman tied for second place, clearing 5-00. Kaylee Gilliland also placed among the top three in the pole vault.
Emporia returns to action Thursday when it travels to Washburn Rural.
