The week of May 17-23 saw the 2026 Iowa high school girls and boys state track and field championships take place at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
There were several standout performances by male athletes from the Des Moines metro area during the state track and field meet.
The state tournament field was set in all three classes for boys golf during the week as well. It was also another busy week of boys soccer and tennis featuring athletes from the metro area.
Opening day for high school baseball also took place during the week.
Here are the Des Moines Register’s male Athlete of the Week candidates from the Des Moines metro area for the week of May 17-23. DesMoinesRegister.com readers vote to determine the winners, who will be announced at the end of the week.
Hayden Carlson, Ankeny
Carlson won the Class 4A boys 110-meter high hurdles with an all-time best time at the 2026 Iowa high school girls and boys state track and field championships on May 23 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
Carlson ran a time of 13.52 seconds to set the new state mark in the event.
Kaiden Kunze, Norwalk
Kunze won four events in 4A for the Norwalk boys track and field team at the 2026 Iowa high school girls and boys state track and field championships held May 21-23 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
Kunze won the 4A boys 100 dash in 10.63, the 200 in 10.46 and the open 400 in 47.80 to pull off a sweep in the open sprinting events. Kunze also placed first in the boys long jump with a distance of 23 feet, 8.25 inches.
Joseph Alexander, Valley
Alexander anchored Valley to a new all-time best time in the 4×100 relay during the 4A competition at the 2026 Iowa high school girls and boys state track and field championships on May 23 in Des Moines.
The Tigers broke 41 seconds, winning the 4A state title in 40.84. Alexander also anchored Valley to a bronze medal in the 4A boys 4×200 (1:26.83) and placed second in the open 200 (21.56) and fourth in the high jump (6-5).
Reece Whinery, Southeast Polk
Whinery gave Southeast Polk a gold medal in the 4A boys discus at the 2026 Iowa high school girls and boys state track and field championships on May 21 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
Whinrey’s winning throw of 183-3 came on his fifth overall throw and second attempt in the finals. He won the event by 4-7.
Ty Haisman, North Polk
Haisman helped the North Polk boys golf team advance to state as a team by tying for medalist runner-up honors during the 3A district meet on May 19 at the Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella.
Haisman carded a 1-over round of 73 over 18 holes.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Vote for Des Moines Register male Athlete of the Week May 17-23