High School Track Season Opens Today

Though undoubtedly most of the state's top preps have been training for the 2008 track season since the last one concluded in June, today marks the first day that high school coaches across Minnesota are allowed to conduct official practices.

We at DtB look forward to bringing you another season of high school track coverage. To kick off the season, here are four questions that only the action on the track and field can answer.

1. How far can Jordan jump?

Last year, Wayzata's Jordan Helgren notched her best marks of the season in both the long and triple on the biggest stage--the state meet. After jumping 18-10 1/4 and 38-10 1/4 a year ago, Helgren enters 2008 not only as a heavy favorite in Minnesota but also as a national contender. Her triple from 2007 exceeded the USATF Junior Nationals qualifier of 38-8 3/4. In addition to defending her state titles, the Trojan senior will have a legitimate shot at all-time state records in both events.

The best long jump in Minnesota history belongs to Cindy Bethany for the time being, who jumped 19-1 3/4 in 1990. Jummy Alowonle's 35-9 1/2 has topped the all-time leaderboard since 2000.

2. Who will claim the boys' 800 crown?

In 2007, we saw Irondale's Andy Richardson and Buffalo's Zach Mellon (pictured racing at State last year) record the fifth and eighth best times in state history over two laps, at 1:51.60 and 1:51.87 respectively. Mellon edged Richardson in the final of the state meet in a mild upset. Both will be back this year, along with 2006 champion Issac Veldkamp of Eden Prairie (who ran a respectable 1:53.67 in '07) and cross country runner-up Jordan Carlson of Rosemount (1:53.88 last year). With a total of nine returners owning personal bests under 1:56, this may be the deepest field Minnesota has ever seen in the 800 meters.

Jason Owen's state record of 1:49.13 has stood since 1996, but may be in jeopardy. He and Trent Riter are the only two Minnesota preps to break 1:50. Richardson's mark from last year was the fastest time ever run by a junior; Mellon's mark is second only to Owen's 1:51.41 among sophomores.

3. Can anyone stop Sade Pollard in the sprints?

Last year, the St. Paul Harding girls finished 6th at the Class AA State meet, amassing 34 points. Sade Pollard was their only representative. As a junior, Pollard won the 200 and 400 meter dashes, and placed 2nd in the 100 meters. With PRs of 12.21, 25.36 and 56.99, she will receive plenty of attention from Division I coaches as a senior.

Despite her dominance, Pollard is far from the only female sprinter with state titles on her mind as the season begins. Apple Valley's Kylie Peterson, who won the 100-meter-dash in 2007, will be back as well. So will all of the top five finishers in the 200, including runner-up Antoinette Goodman of Burnsville, who ran 25.40 at the state meet, just four hundredths behind Pollard.

4. How 'bout that Finnerty guy?

Most years, Rob Finnerty would have won two events at the state meet, but last year wasn't like most years. Winona's Elliott Heath set a meet record in the 3200 meter run in 9:02.65, then went on to run an all-time state record and 8:43.09 equivalent at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Though Finnerty may have blended into an historically fast lead pack a year ago, he will be hard to miss on the track in 2008. After earning an elusive state cross country title in the fall and following it up with a 9th-place finish at Foot Locker Nationals, the Blaze star will look to add two more state championships this spring, likely in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. After an 8:59.15 full two-mile at NON last year, he will also figure into the national picture in the distance races.

Looking for answers to these questions? Stay tuned to DtB this track season.

Photo by Gene Niemi; from left Veldkamp, Mellon, Richardson.