Colette Heffernan, sixth grader at Landrum Middle School, delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 FLYRA Middle School State Track & Field Championship held May 15-16 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, competing against the top middle school runners from across Florida.
Representing No Excuses Running Club, Heffernan earned an impressive third-place finish in the girls 3000-meter race with a time of 10:15 and placed seventh overall in the girls 1500-meter race with a time of 4:57.
The annual FLYRA State Championship featured athletes from 78 schools across the state, with competitors from sixth through eighth grades. Despite being one of the youngest athletes in the field, Heffernan emerged as the top sixth-grade girl in Florida this season in both the 3000m and 1500m events.
Her performance in the 3000m has also earned her national recognition, currently ranking 11th in the nation among all middle school female runners.
Heffernan attends Landrum Middle School and trains with No Excuses Running Club. Her strong finish at the state championship caps off an exceptional season and positions her as one of Florida’s rising young distance-running talents.
