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It's not often that a high school track and field athlete from Minnesota can be called a national champion. Well, this year we can call Shaina Zinter a national champion after she secured the NSAF Nationals Heptathlon championships last month in Oregon.
She punctuated that heptathlon victory with a win in the 800m with a time of 2:10.47, which ranked 73rd nationally among prep girls competitors in 2022 and 2nd overall in Minnesota. Her heptathlon win was punctuated by wins in the heptathlon 200m, 800m, and javelin events.
Zinter also earned All-American status at Nike Nationals with her runner-up finish in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles in a state-record time of 59.19 seconds, which ranked No. 3 in the country.
Related: Future Heptathlon Star? Shaina Zinter Strives on the Track
Apart from her historic NSAF Nationals performance, her overall performance during her high school career on the track and via her field events puts her in a historic company in Minnesota. See her PRs and all-time Minnesota ranks below:
| Event | Time/Mark | MN All-Time Rank |
| 100m | 12.28 | NA |
| 200m | 24.98 | T-56th |
| 400m | 55.80 | 20th |
| 800m | 2:10.47 | 9th |
| 100m Hurdles | 14.29 | 11th |
| 300m Hurdles | 42.38 | 3rd |
| 400m Hurdles | 59.19 | 2nd |
| Shot Put | 35' 6.5" | NA |
| Javelin | 114' 7" | 4th |
| Long Jump | 18' 7.75" | 31st |
| Triple Jump | 32' 8" | NA |
| High Jump | 5' 0" | NA |
Historically for Minnesota high school track and field girls athletes, the only real comparison to Zinter would be Shaina Burns. Burns won the 2014 New Balance Outdoor Nationals Heptathlon title with a then state record of 5,163 points. Soon after she would break her own record with 5,363 points at USATF Junior Nationals.
For comparison, Zinter won NSAF Nationals this year with a personal best heptathlon score of 5,122 that is the 3rd best score in state history, only behind Burns. Burns and Zinter take up the top 8 spots on the all-time list for heptathlon scores in Minnesota.
All-Time Heptathlon Scores, MN Girls
| RANK | POINTS | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5363 | Lakeville South High School | 2014 | |
| 2 | 5163 | Lakeville South High School | 2014 | |
| 3 | 5122 | Concordia Academy (Roseville) | 2022 | |
| 4 | 4975 | Concordia Academy (Roseville) | 2022 | |
| 5 | 4908 | Lakeville South High School | 2014 | |
| 6 | 4898 | Concordia Academy (Roseville) | 2022 | |
| 7 | 4748 | Concordia Academy (Roseville) | 2022 | |
| 8 | 4569 | Lakeville South High School | 2014 | |
| 9 | 4547 | Real Track & Field | 2018 | AAU Region 14 Qualifier 1st X |
| 10 | 4416 | Real Track & Field | 2018 |
Comparing the two heptathletes is tough based on their specialty events. Zinter is best in the hurdles and mid-distance events, while Burns was best at the hurdles and throws.
We don't need to compare the two Shaina's to know that they are two of the best overall track and field athletes in state history.
Zinter ends her Minnesota high school career with five state titles, two Class A state meet records and numerous top-ten all-time marks in several events. She will compete next year at the University of Wisconsin.
