PHILADELPHIA – Minot High boys track and field standouts Graysson Schaeffer and Kobe Irmen were on the national stage over the weekend as they represented the Magic City at the 2024 New Balance Nationals Outdoor held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The event was held Thursday, June 13, through Sunday, June 16. The competitors were required to meet their events qualifying standards and be registered before the May 20 deadline.

Schaeffer received automatic acceptance in the triple jump event as his personal best mark of 47-01 coming into the meet was considerably higher than the standard mark of 44-09 that is required by the competition qualifiers.

Schaeffer, the 2024 NDHSAA Class A State Meet triple jump champion finished in 26th place with a 13.86m (45-5.75) jump mark. The Minot High stalwart competed unattached while jumping his unattached personal best jump mark.

In addition to winning the triple jump event at the state meet, Schaeffer also competed in the 200 meters, the 4×200 relays and long jump.

Schaeffer, a high school junior finished fourth place in long jump event at the 2024 NDHSAA Class A State Meet

Irmen, the third place finisher in the 2024 NDHSAA Class A Discus threw an unattached personal best mark of 47.26m (155-0), placing 58th at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Meet.

Irmen had personal best marks in three events during 2023-2024 track and field season: shot put, discus and javelin.

Irmen, a senior at Minot High this past school year, will be attending the University of Jamestown in the fall 2024 semester, where he’ll compete in both football and track and field.

Schaeffer and Irmen were able to experience the atmosphere at the renowned Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. The venue has a capacity of 78,205 people and also hosts the yearly Penn Relays, which is the oldest organized relay competition in the United States.

New Balance National Outdoors meet is for student athletes grade 6-12. Athletes below 6th grade and above 12th grade are ineligible to compete at the New Balance Outdoor

The championship division is for 6-12 graders. The middle school division is for 6-8 graders. Middle schoolers are not allowed to compete in that division if they are older than 15 years. The freshman division is for 9th graders only.

All-American awards were given to the top six individuals in the Championship events and the top six teams in the Championship relays.

The New Balance Nationals Outdoor has historically invited athletes that are considered “the best of the best” and is held after all the state championship meets nationwide. The event serves to reward those who have impressed with their performances throughout the year.

The meet is also a way to celebrate the invited athletes’ hard work and outdoor season results. It is also the closing meet of the middle school and high school track and field seasons.