ALTON — Alton High School freshman Leah Hubbard has opened the 2026 track and field season with a series of personal-best performances, including an athlete-of-the-meet honor at the Granite City Freshman-Sophomore Invite.
Hubbard was named the Granite City Freshman-Sophomore Invite Top Track Athlete after winning the 100 meters in 13.04 seconds, a personal best. She also placed second in the 200 meters (27.09) and second in the 400 meters (1:00.70) at the meet.
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Leah is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds.
At the Lady Maroon Invite at Belleville West, Hubbard finished 10th in the 200 meters with a time of 25.84, another personal best. She also placed third in the long jump at the Granite City Freshman-Sophomore Invite with a leap of 15 feet, 3.5 inches, and later recorded a personal best of 16-5 in the event at the Lady Maroon Track and Field Invite.
Coach Chelsea Anderson said Hubbard has competed at both the junior varsity and varsity levels in multiple events.
“Leah has performed well on both sides on JV and Varsity, competing in the long jump, the 200 meters, 400 meters, and running in the 4x200-meters and 4x400-meters relays,” Anderson said.
Anderson said Hubbard is already listed among the school’s top performers.
“She’s already ranked top 10 in the AHS record books in her events,” Anderson said. “She is still trying to find which events suit her best.”
Anderson pointed to Hubbard’s early results as a sign of what could come as she gains experience.
“She’s a true freshman, for sure, but once she realizes she can compete with the best of them, I think she will do great in the future,” Anderson said.
