Lorelai Zielinski, a sophomore at Traverse City Central High School, is the best thrower in the state of Michigan.

At Saturday’s Division 1 track and field state final in East Kentwood, Zielinski made good on her top seeding in both the discus and shot put, winning state championship titles in both events.

Zielinski threw 155 feet and 1 inch to claim the discus title, beating her closest competitor by more than 13 feet. She also won gold in the shot put, with a 46-foot, 11.75-inch throw. Those victories come one year after Zielinski finished as state runner-up in both throwing events, as a freshman.

Speaking to Ticker sister publication Northern Express in the fall, for the Express’s annual preview of outstanding local high school athletes to watch, Zielinski said she hopes to eventually compete at the Olympic level. First, she’s off to next month's Nike Outdoor Nationals to contend for a national title. That meet is scheduled for June 19-22.

Photo credit: State Champs Michigan