Finnerty, Mellon, Carlson Named All-USA

The fastest high school miler in Minnesota history, Rob Finnerty, the fastest-ever prep half-miler in the state, Zach Mellon, and perhaps the greatest Minnesota high school runner to never win a state title, Jordan Carlson, were named to the USA Today All-USA track team.

Burnsville High School's Finnerty earned his accolades with a 4:01.09 mile victory at the Midwest Distance Gala in Lisle, Illinois that led the nation in the event and which is the #7 performance all-time for an American prep in the mile/1600 meters. Finnerty won the Nike Outdoor National title in the mile as well. He was also the season's 4th-fastest two miler at 8:50.96.

Finnerty broke Garry Bjorklund's 39-year-old state all-time record in the event as well.

(See a related story about Bjorklund and Finnerty on the USATF-Minnesota web-site HERE.)

Mellon, a junior at Buffalo High School, ended the 2008 season as the #2-ranked half-miler in country, by virtue of his 1:48.64 runner-up finish at the U.S. Junior Championships in Columbus, Ohio. Mellon bettered Jason Owen's all-time record in the 800m with the performance. He had already broken Owen's MSHSL State Meet record with a 1:49.69 clocking.

Rosemount High School's Carlson earned the USA Today honors by virtue of his 4:07.18 mile at he Midwest Distance Gala and his 3rd place finish at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Carlson's All-USA honor is welcome recognition for the #3 prep miler in Minnesota history who's exploits happened in the shadow of Finnerty's performances.

You can find the full listing of All-USA selections HERE.

Photos by Gene Niemi. Above: Finnerty leading Carlson, below: Mellon.