Yes/No: Abda vs. Mellon at Iowa State

The Gopher Men's team, currently ranked eighth in the nation and second in the Midwest, will prepare for the upcoming Big Ten Conference Meet by participating in a meet at Iowa State University this weekend.  The event boasts a 300 meter track widely considered one of the fastest in the area, a reputation that attracts many top local athletes.

Harun Abda is currently ranked sixth in the nation at 800 meters with a 1:48.44 clocking.  Abda will face Edward Kemboi who beat Abda recently running 1:47.  Another familiar competitor will be Buffalo, Minnesota's Zach Mellon now running at the University of Wisconsin.

Yes/No: Will Harun Abda finish ahead of Zach Mellon and run sub 1:48:00 in the 800 meters at Iowa State? 

For the purpose of this contest, if Abda or Mellon drop out or scratch, the other will be considered the winner.  If they are not in the same heat, we will go by time.

Harun Abda and Zach Mellon waged epic battles while in high school.  Mellon graduated from Buffalo with two State Championships and the All-Time Minnesota Record in the 800 meters - 1:48.64.  He won the 800 title as a sophomore and junior before being upset as a senior by Harun Abda.  Abda ran 1:50.74 and won the title in 2009.  That time is the fifth fastest ever in Minnesota high school, directly behind Steve Holman.

While Zach Mellon had the more impressive high school career, Abda has definitely flourished in college.  Mellon was an All-American in 2010 indoor and has run 1:47.45 indoors as well as 3:46.20 for 1500 and 4:03.38 in the mile.  Abda has six All-American certificates to his name.  He has run 1:15.86 for 600, 1:46.97 for 800 indoors and competed in the Olympic Trials in the 800 in 2012.

Iowa State heat sheets are posted HERE.

To play our game, simply type "yes" or "no" into the subject line of an e-mail and send it to us at DtBFantasy [AT] gmail [DOT] com before 1:30 P.M. CDT, Saturday, February 9th.  Please put your answers in the subject line of the e-mail and make sure your full name appears somewhere in the e-mail.  We will offer a bonus for participants making their 2013 debut in Yes/No - a correct answer will be worth two points for anyone who has not played yet this year.

My Answer:  Yes

Last week's questions was:  Will there be any local athletes among the top ten finishers at the USA Cross Country Championships on Saturday?  The answer was yes.  Elliot Heath finished fourth and qualified for the worlds team.  On the women's side, Jamie Cheever was tenth.  Thirty-four players answered correctly and we are now down to two folks that have a perfect four points.  These are the perfect two:  Toby Hatlevig and Dimitri Drekonja.

For all the results, please visit DtB Fantasy Corner, HERE.