Agates Shine at Sections: New Records, Top Finishes, and State-Bound Stars

Trinity Giddings earns her spot on the first place podium – Section Champion – for 100m dash. (Submitted photo)

The Two Harbors Agates made their mark at the MSHSL Section 7A Track & Field Championships on May 28, bringing home a slew of impressive finishes, personal bests, school records—and plenty of state-bound athletes.

According to head coach Ryan McIntyre, “It was a great day all around. The Agates came in ready to compete, that’s for sure. There were many tight races and close finishes that made for an exciting track meet.”

Boys Take the Section 7A

Team Championship

The Agate boys claimed the Section 7A Team Championship title, topping the competition and proving their strength across multiple events. They finished 14 points ahead of 2nd place Moose Lake/Willow River. It is the first section championship win for Two Harbors’ track & field team since 1973.

“Jon Kinsey was the lone soph­omore amongst a big group of ju­niors and seniors competing at the Section meet for the Agate boys team,” said McIntyre. “That expe­rience and leadership showed in their focus and effort, advancing 7 different boys in 4 individual events and 2 relay teams to state.”

The Agates’ triumph was high­lighted by standout performances, including:

• Tommy DeChantal, Elijah Smith, Joshua Maxwell, and Carter Nelson set a new school record and advanced to state with their 2nd-place finish in the 4×400 Relay (3:30.84). The top three relay teams were separated by just 0.44 seconds, with all three heading to state.
• Tate Nelson won the Long Jump and qualified for state.
• Joshua Maxwell, Elijah Smith, Carter Nelson, and Tate Nel­son claimed the 4×200 Relay Section Championship, setting another school record with a time of 1:32.07 and earning a spot at state.
• Tommy DeChantal emerged as the Section Champion in the 300m Hurdles and placed 3rd in the 110m High Hurdles, advancing to state.
• Carter Nelson placed 3rd in the 300m Hurdles, securing a state berth.
• Tom Lampela and Chase Pierce finished 1st and 2nd in the Shot Put, both advanc­ing to the state meet. Lampela also took 2nd in Discus, while Jonathan Kinsey finished 7th and Amir Ali 13th in the same event.

Girls Place 3rd as a Team

With only four athletes, the Ag­ate girls made a mighty showing, finishing 3rd in the Section 7A Team standings. Their perfor­mances were led by:

• Trinity Giddings, a senior who shattered records and collect­ed hardware:
• Section Champion in the 100m Dash with a time of 12.40 seconds in prelims, breaking the previous Sec­tion 7A record of 12.50 sec­onds.
• Section Champion in the Long Jump, with senior Ra­chel Bopp placing 6th.
• 2nd place in the 400m Dash, punching her ticket to state.
• 2nd place in the 200m Dash, breaking the school record with a blazing time of 25.02 seconds.
• Rachel Bopp also set a personal record in this event with a 4th-place fin­ish (27.72).
• Olivia Hagglund, a freshman, cleared a personal-best 5’ 0” in the High Jump to secure 2nd place and a spot at state.
• Brynn von Goertz, also fresh­man, placed 6th in the Discus.

“It was great seeing everyone com­peting so hard, and being rewarded with some great results, some new PR’s, some placements, and some state qualifications,” said McIntyre.

With a total of multiple individual champions, record-breaking perfor­mances, and state-bound athletes, the Agates are proving that every­thing really is coming up Agates. Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and supporters for their incredible efforts at Sections. Now, it’s on to State—go Agates!