Mercer Island High School delivered one of the most successful state track and field performances in program history at the 2026 WIAA 3A State Track & Field Championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.
Powered by state championships, podium finishes, personal records, and outstanding depth across the roster, the Islanders’ girls team claimed the 3A State Championship defending the title they claimed in 2025. The Mercer Island boys also turned in a tremendous performance, finishing eighth overall against one of the deepest fields in the state.
The Islanders consistently rose to the moment throughout the three-day meet, producing memorable performances on the track, in the field, and in the relays.
State Champions Lead the Way
Lauren Balousek put together one of the premier performances of the meet, capturing the 3A state title in the girls 400 meters. Balousek blazed to a personal-record 54.80 in the preliminary round before returning to run 55.89 in the finals to secure the state championship.
Aaliyah Khan added two more state titles for the Islanders. Khan won the girls long jump with a leap of 19-0 and followed that with another championship in the triple jump at 39-3.
Mercer Island also received a runner-up finish from Sophia Rodriguez in the girls 3200 meters, where she crossed in 10:36.95. Rodriguez added another podium finish in the 1600 meters, placing third in 4:58.09.
In the javelin, Alisha Khan earned a third-place state finish with a throw of 126-2.
Junior Sarina Sawhney delivered one of the most dominant performances of the entire state meet, sweeping all three of her wheelchair events to become a three-time state champion. Sawhney won the seated wheelchair shot put with a throw of 17-10½, captured the wheelchair discus title with a personal-record mark of 50-6, and completed the sweep by winning the wheelchair javelin with a throw of 36-8. Her remarkable performance showcased her versatility across all throwing disciplines and added three more state championships to Mercer Island’s historic weekend in Tacoma.
Relay Success
The Islanders’ relay teams were a major factor in the team championship effort.
The girls 4×400 relay team delivered one of the biggest performances of the weekend, winning the state championship in 3:51.86. With that time, Maia Shook, Maddie O’Brien, Rizah Despres, and Lauren Balousek were 0.7 seconds from capturing the State record and were 0.3 seconds from claiming the Mercer Island High School record. All four return for the 2027 season chasing those records.
Mercer Island also placed third in the girls 4×100 relay prelims with a time of 48.35 and finished second in the finals with a 48.16. An outstanding performance from Eloise Newman, Hanna Lassila, Maia Shook and Aaliyah Khan.
The girls 4×200 relay team (Maddie O’Brien, Maia Shook, Hanna Lassila, and Presley Pemberton) qualified for state and posted a prelims time of 1:45.49, but did not make it to the finals.
The girls 4×400 relay also ran 3:59.40 in an earlier round before returning with its championship-winning performance.
Girls Individual Results
Lauren Balousek
- 100 meters prelims: 12.20 (8th)
- 100 meters finals: 12.58 (8th)
- 200 meters prelims: 25.16 (4th)
- 200 meters finals: 24.97 (6th)
- 400 meters prelims: 55.89 (2nd)
- 400 meters finals: 54.80 (PR) — State Champion
- 4×100 relay contributor – (2nd)
- 4×400 relay contributor — State Champion
Eloise Newman
- 100 meters prelims: 12.15 (4th)
- 100 meters finals: 12.34 (6th)
- 200 meters finals: 25.55 (9th)
- 100-meter hurdles prelims: 15.03 (3rd)
- 100-meter hurdles finals: 14.97 (2nd)
- 4×100 relay contributor – (2nd)
Sophia Rodriguez
- 1600 meters: 4:58.09 (3rd)
- 3200 meters: 10:36.95 (2nd)
Rizah Despres
- 800 meters prelims: 2:16.43 (6th)
- 800 meters finals: 2:16.32 (7th)
- 1600 meters: 5:02.69 (4th)
- 4×400 relay contributor — State Champion
Maddie O’Brien
- 4×200 relay contributor – (15th)
- 4×400 relay contributor — State Champion
Hanna Lassila
- 200 meters prelims: 26.19 (21st)
- 4×200 relay contributor – (15th)
Maia Shook
- 200 meters prelims: 26.26 (22nd)
- 4×100 relay contributor – (2nd)
- 4×200 relay contributor – (15th)
- 4×400 relay contributor — State Champion
Aaliyah Khan
- Long Jump: 19-0 — State Champion
- Triple Jump: 39-3 — State Champion
- 4×100 relay contributor – (2nd)
Alisha Khan
- Javelin: 126-2 (3rd)
- Long Jump: 17-1¼ (8th)
- Triple Jump: 33-8 (16th)
Aracelys Bundesmann
- Shot Put 38-0½ PR – (5th)
- Discus: 103-0 (14th)
Sarina Sawhney
- Shot Put (4kg Seated Wheelchair): 17-10½ — State Champion
- Discus (Wheelchair): 50-6 PR — State Champion
- Javelin (600g Wheelchair): 36-8 — State Champion
Nicolette Nguyen
- High Jump: 5-2 (4th)
Presley Pemberton
- 4×200 relay contributor – (15th)
Wilhelmina Shopay
- High Jump: 5-2 (6th)
- Long Jump: 16-10½ (10th)
- Triple Jump: 33-5½ (17th)
Scout Bates
- High Jump: 5-0 (14th)
Boys Individual Results
The Mercer Island boys earned an outstanding eighth-place team finish thanks to strong performances throughout the distance and field events.
The 4X100m relay team of Owen Clarkson, Jonah Thiese, Nicholas Castaneda, and Parker Blosch placed seventh in the prelims with a 43.11 time and captured eighth place in the finals with a 43.61 time.
Matthew Lawrence
- 1600 meters: 4:09.03 (5th)
- 3200 meters: 9:02.10 (2nd)
Finn Bunker
- 800 meters prelims: 1:57.28 (11th)
Owen Clarkson
- Pole Vault: 15-6 (2nd & a School Record)
- 4×100 relay contributor – (8th)
Aidin Azeem
- Discus: 150-2 PR – (6th)
Nicholas Castaneda
- 100 meters prelims: 11.25 (19th)
- 4×100 relay contributor – (8th)
Parker Blosch
- 4×100 relay contributor – (8th)
Jonah Thiese
- 4×100 relay contributor – (8th)
A Championship Weekend
The state championship reflected the depth, talent, and culture that have become trademarks of Mercer Island Track and Field.
From state champions Lauren Balousek and Aaliyah Khan, to podium finishes from Sophia Rodriguez, Matthew Lawrence, Owen Clarkson, Alisha Khan, and many others, Islanders athletes represented their school with pride and excellence.
Congratulations to every Mercer Island state qualifier, coach, parent, and supporter who helped make the 2026 season one to remember. The girls brought home a state championship trophy, the boys earned a top-10 finish, and the entire program once again demonstrated why Mercer Island remains one of Washington’s premier track and field programs. Here are the full Washington State Track & Field Championship results for the 2026 outdoor season.
To see photos from the State Championship please visit Scott Knoblich’s website. Scott is an amazing team photographer and friend of the Mercer Island High School Cross Country and Track & Field teams. WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE SCOTT!!!!!
