A reigning Iowa high school girls track and field state champion has put her name on the national level.
Abby Mecklenburg, who ruled the long jump for Linn-Mar High School, claimed the national championship at the United States of America Track and Field U20 Outdoor Championships with a leap of 21-0.50 or 6.41 meters. Mecklenburg became the first Iowa girl to record a jump over 20 feet as a junior in 2025.
With her victory, Mecklenburg advances to the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held August 5-9, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon from Hayward Field. The event features the top rising track and field athletes from around the world competing in 45 events…