Here are five student athletes who made their mark this spring.
Juriad Hughes Jr.
Hughes Jr. has had a spring to remember.
The former Irondale High School football and track and field standout, now a sophomore phenom for the University of Arkansas, helped the Razorbacks capture the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championship by placing second in the long jump.
Hughes was the 2024 Gatorade Track and Field Performer of the Year as a senior.
Laila Moses
Moses, one of the state’s top student athletes, seemed to pick up where she left off last year.
The junior from DeLaSalle High School was outstanding while competing in the Class AA state track and field meet earlier this month.
Not only did she successfully defend her 100-meter hurdles title, she also took first place in the shot put.
She also plays forward for the girls basketball team.
Saye Minibah Jr.
Minibah closed his track and field career at Minneapolis North with an unforgettable spring.
He dominated the sprints at the Minneapolis City Conference Track and Field Championships, winning the 100-meter and 200-meter runs.
He went on to capture the 200-meter title at the Class AA State Track and Field Championships with a record-breaking time of 21.38, while finishing runner-up in the 100.
Khapriece Venzant
Venzant turned in quite the dominant performance at the St. Paul City Conference Track and Field Championships last month.
The St. Paul Harding senior placed first in the long jump and triple jump.
He leaped 20 feet, 9 inches in the long jump and 44 feet, 5 inches in the triple jump.
Amira Cogshell
Cogshell turned in one of the most dominant performances as a sprinter this spring.
In leading St. Paul Highland Park to the City Conference Track and Field Championships title, she captured top honors in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter runs.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.