Photo by Jake Olson: Fairmont's Ellie Perkins (maroon) sprints through a rubber band drill during last Wednesday's practice at the Fairmont High School.

FAIRMONT – Ellie Perkins had a feeling she would do something great.

After a season of eclipsing new heights on the Fairmont High School Track and Field team, she knew the 2025 MSHSL State Track and Field Championships were nothing out of the ordinary. It was just another competition.

Perkins would cap off her outstanding freshman season in one of the best ways possible. Reaching a program record height of 11 feet and six inches, she walked away from the state meet with a fifth-place finish and a newfound confidence in her abilities.

“I think it was definitely in the back of my mind. But it was more to just have fun, compete, and do what I love to do,” Perkins said about qualifying for the state meet in 2025. “It was very fulfilling and exciting. Me last year wasn’t as confident as I am right now.”

Last season wasn’t the first time Perkins has pole vaulted at the state level. In the spring of 2024, as an eighth grader, Perkins qualified for the big meet after her 10′ 1″ performance in the Section 2AA Championships met the criteria. It was a personal best for the season.

While her state-meet height of 10 feet couldn’t crack the top 10, the experience on the biggest stage proved positive for her later years. And it has shown the following seasons.

Perkins grew tremendously from an eighth grader to a freshman. In 2024, Perkins passed the 10-foot height mark just two times. Last season, however, she trumped that mark in every competition except one. She placed first in five meets, second in four others, and even qualified for the elusive Hamline Elite Meet, an event that holds the state’s top talent.

Her showing at last spring’s state meet was just a cherry on top of what Fairmont head coach Jesse Walters considers an outstanding year.

“To place individually at the state track meet for us is incredible. And to do that without your driver’s license is something else,” Walters said with a smile. “Ellie Perkins is, in track and field at least, one of the more diverse and impressive athletes I have. Pole vault is just what she’s incredible at.”

2026 has been another improving season for Perkins. Outside of setting new personal bests in the program pole vault record book, the sophomore has used a growth mindset and belief in her abilities to impact the team in any way she can.

She began the year by breaking the record for the highest pole vault in an indoor meet. Her mark of 11 feet did enough to place third in this season’s Minnesota State University Varsity Showcase in March, trailing North Branch Area’s Ella Dick (12′) and Jayda Wilson (12′ 6″) from Roseville Area.

Perkins has placed first in all but one competition so far this year. Her most impressive showing came on April 10, when she reached a season-best height of 11′ 3″ at the Blue Earth Meet. She’s broken the 11′ barrier two other times at the Fairmont Triangular and the SJM Invitational #3.

“I think my mindset has been a big part of it,” Perkins said of her success this season. “I’ve been carrying a growth mindset through it all, and just being okay with it. It’s been good.”

Perkins will show off her outstanding leaping ability this Friday for the 70th edition of the Fairmont Sentinel Relays held at Bob Bonk Track on the Fairmont High School campus. Field events will start at 4:00 p.m., with the girls Class A and AA doing their pole vault on Pit #2. Track events are slated for 4:30 p.m.