Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Track and field athletes from Minnesota are making their annual pilgrimage to Des Moines, Iowa this weekend for the running festival known as Drake Relays. Competitors in the College and University divisions as well as post-collegiate athletes will compete before a packed house for a prestigious Drake Relays Championship. Because there are so many great competitions involving Minnesota athletes, we've decided to bring back “Pick 10” for Drake Relays week.

A refresher on Pick 10 rules: You're asked to predict the finish place for each of 10 Minnesota athletes/teams in their respective division (University/College/Special) at Drake. You will score points for each athlete/team that scores at or above the finish place you predict for them, following the 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 scoring system. If the athlete/team finishes below your predicted place, however, you receive zero points.

To play Pick Ten, cut and paste the list of names/events below into an e-mail and add your place predictions -- 1st, 2nd, 3rd... or 8th. Send your predictions to DtBFantasy [AT] gmail [DOT] com by 9:00 A.M. CDT on Friday, April 24. Make sure your full name is in the e-mail. We'll announce the winner of this Pick Ten contest next week and update the running tally of Pick Ten scores from which we'll ultimately crown a grand champion.

Consult DtB Fantasy Corner for full results.

Pick 10 ... Drake Relays:

Ibrahim Kabia in the 100 Meters (University/College):
Aaron Studt in the Shot Put (University/College):
Jim Dilling in the High Jump (Special):
Laura Hermanson in the 800 Meters (University/College):
Liz Podominick in the Discus (Special):
Katelin Rains in the Pole Vault (University/College):
University of Minnesota Men in the 4 x 1600 (University/College):
St. Thomas Men in the 4 x 800 (College):
University of Minnesota Women in the Distance Medley Relay (University):
University of Minnesota, Mankato, Women in the 4 x 100 Meter Relay (College):


To Help You Make Your Picks ... Here is some information on the athletes/teams we've included in the competition:

Ibrahim Kabia is an All-American sprinter and defending Drake Relays 100 meter champion (10.44). Aaron Studt is also an All-American and the defending Drake Relays champion (shot put). Jim Dilling is a 7 -6 1/2 high jumper who was a 4 time Division II national champion at Minnesota State, Mankato. Laura Hermanson of NDSU, the middle distance specialist from Burnsville High School, ran 2:03.21 and 4:19.77 at Mt. SAC last week. Former Gopher Liz Podominick is the Minnesota high school record holder in the shot put and discus. Katelin Rains vaulted 14-5 1/4 indoors this year which remains the best collegiate vault of the year.

The University of Minnesota men’s 4 x 1600 meter squad features All-Americans Hassan Mead and Chris Rombough. St. Thomas has a stellar middle distance squad to choose from in the 4 x 800 meter relay. Leading the charge are current national qualifiers Mike Hutton (1:52.53) and Brian Sames (1:52.84). The Gopher women have incredible depth at 800 and 1500 meters and should excel at the Distance Medley Relay. The Gophers have national champion Heather Dorniden as well as 4 additional runners who have broken 2:10 this year. Minnesota State, Mankato’s women have a national qualifying team in the 4x100 led by All-American Brittany Henderson who has already run 11.70 this year.

Good luck!

Yes/No Update ... Last week’s question - Will Carrie Tollefson run 4:35.00 or faster in the B.A.A. Invitational Mile was answered "no" correctly by 16 contestants. Tollefson encountered a very windy day and still ran a very solid 4:45 in Boston.

Yes/No will return next week. Full results are posted HERE.

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