Thursday, June 30, 2016

MSU Mankato Grad Emmanuel Matadi Will Compete for Liberia at Rio Games

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Gopher Men Competing at Olympic Trials

 Gopher Men Competing at Olympic Trials  HERE
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Incoming Gopher Women's Athletes

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First Gopher Olympian

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18 Minnesotans Listed as Olympic Trials Competitors

18 Minnesotans Listed as Olympic Trials Competitors HERE (Note: This list doesn't include all the Gopher men competing above 
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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Alex Kurt's Afton Trail Runs Preview

Alex Kurt's Afton Trail Runs Preview HERE
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KARE-11 Road to Rio: Hassan Mead Interview

   KARE-11 Road to Rio: Hassan Mead Interview HERE
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More on Mason Ferlic's Road to Rio

More on Mason Ferlic's Road to Rio HERE
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USATF MN AOM

USATF MN Athletes of the Month for May HERE
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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Star of the North Games Results

Star of the North Games Results HERE
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NDSU Alums Competing in US Olympic Trials

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AAU Minnesota District Qualifier Results

AAU Minnesota District Qualifier Results HERE
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Hassan Mead Goes into Olympic Trials 10K with the 3rd Fastest Qualifying Time

Hassan Mead Goes into Olympic Trials 10K with the 3rd Fastest Qualifying Time HERE
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Gopher Women Ready for Summer Track Season

Gopher Women Ready for Summer Track Season HERE
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Lefty Wright Inducted into NFHS Hall of Fame

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Monday, June 27, 2016

Jamie Cheever Writes About the Pressure and Potential of the Olympic Trials

Jamie Cheever Writes About the Pressure and Potential of the Olympic Trials HERE
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AAP Finds Increase in Use of Performance Enhancing Substances among Middle and HS Students

 American Academy of Pediatrics  Finds Increase in Use of Performance Enhancing Substances among Middle and HS Students   HERE
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Sunday, June 26, 2016

Gopher Men's Summary from USATF Juniors

Gopher Men's Summary from USATF Juniors HERE
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USATF Junior Championships Day 3

USATF Junior Championships Day 3 HERE

 Julia Fixsen 6th in pole vault
Andrianna Jacobs 7th in the Pole Vault( results below)

Event 14 
Women Pole Vault 
Progression: 3.70/3.85/3.95/4.05/4.15 then 5cm

1 Rachel Baxter Unattached 4.20m
2 Carson Dingler Unattached 4.20m
3 Erika Malaspina Santa Cruz T 4.15m
4 Olivia Gruver Kentucky 4.15m
5 Mackenzie Shell Oklahoma 4.05m
6 Julia Fixsen Victory Trac 3.95m
7 Andrianna Jacobs Unattached 3.85m
--- Andrea Willis Above The Ba  No Height
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Saturday, June 25, 2016

Teams Selected for Track Town Summer Series

Ben Blankenship, Garrett Heath, Laura Roesler picked for spots on the Track Town Summer Series teams

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Speed River Inferno Results

Speed River Inferno Results HERE

 Travis Burkstrand 3rd, Mason Ferlic 6th in 1500.  Result HERE
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USATF Club Championship Results

USATF Club Championship Men's Results HERE . Women HERE
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USATF Junior Championships Day 2 Results

USATF Junior Outdoor Championships Day 2 Results HERE

 Ruby Stauber 3rd in 800 HERE
Ashley Ramacher 5th in the High Jump (results below)
Meleah Biermaier 5th in the 400 hurdles. Result HERE
Michaela Preachuk 5th in the Hammer throw. Result HERE.
Jon Tharaldsen 17th in shot put HERE
Christopher Trotter 8th in the boy's 800 HERE.
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USATF Junior Outdoor Championship Results Day 1

USATF Junior Outdoor Championships Results HERE

Ruby Stauber qualifies for 800 finals HERE.
Connor Rousemiller 10th in Hammer throw HERE.
Chris Trotter qualified for 800 final. Lucas Trapp 6th in First Heat of 800 Prelims HERE.
Nick Wareham 7th in 3K Steeplechase HERE.
Emma Benner 4th in 5K HERE.
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Friday, June 24, 2016

Academic All America Honors


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Gatorade 2015-16 Track Minnesota AOYJaret Carpenter Boy's, Jedah Caldwell Girl's

Jaret Carpenter Photo by Gene Niemi
Boy's List HERE.


Girl's HERE
Jedah Caldwell. Photo by Gene Niemi
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Tick Cuts Short Top US HS Miler's Season

Loudoun Valley HS(VA) Drew Hunter has his High School season cut short by a tick bite HERE
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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Shelton Stumptown Invitational Results

Shelton Stumptown Invitational Results HERE

Harun Abda 2nd in 800 HERE
Erin Teschuk 2nd, Maddie Van Beek 10th  HERE
Travis Burkstrand 9th in 1500 HERE
Christy Cazzola 17th, Gabe Grunewald DNF in 1500 HERE
Eric Finan 14th in 5K HERE.

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2016 Roy Griak HOF Class

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Impressive OT Awards Season for MIAC Athletes

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Wayzata Boy's State Meet Recap

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Jamie Cheever Runs 4:14 1500 as an OT Tune Up

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Gopher Women's XC Schedule

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Two Gopher Men's Throwers to Compete in US Juniors Meet

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Toxic Tracks in China

Toxic Tracks in China HERE
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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Mason Ferlic Continues His Road to Rio Series

Mason Ferlic Continues His Road to Rio Series(The focus this week: Recovery) HERE
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A Look Back at Gopher Women's 2016 Track Season

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USATF MN Summer League Meet #1 Results

USATF MN Summer League Meet #1 Results HERE

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Monday, June 20, 2016

Brain Training Industry a Sham

Brain Training Industry a Sham HERE
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Liz Podominick Prepping for Olympic Trials

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Zach Siegmeier PRs, Gets Provisional Olympic Qualifying Mark

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Sunday, June 19, 2016

Advice from Father to Son

Ian Torchia got some advise on humility from his dad, Mike: " 'You know what happens to hot dogs, Ian? They get eaten!"
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Edina Boys 10th in New Balance Nationals 4 by 1 Mile Relay; Sahal 14th and Fuller 31st in 400H

Edina Boys 10th at New Balance Nationals in 17:45.71. Results HERE.
Abdihafid Sahal 14th and Grant Fuller 31st in the Emerging Elite 400m hurdles. Result HERE.
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Gopher Triple Jumper Shanique Wright 2nd in Jamaican Junior Championships

Results HERE. (Under 20 TJ, Event 30)
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Barbora Špotáková Has World Leading Women's Javelin Throw

 Barbora Špotáková throws world leading women's javelin distance  HERE
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USATF MN JO Results

Full results for the USATF Minnesota Junior Olympics HERE.
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Harun Abda 4th in 400 Meters at Victoria Track Classic

Harun Abda 4th in 400 Meters at Victoria Track Classic. Result HERE
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Grandma's Coverage

Duluth News Tribune Grandma's Coverage HERE.
Strib coverage HERE
Pioneer Press  Race story HERE. Forum News Service Beardsley story HERE
Esther Atkins' experiment HERE.


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Saturday, June 18, 2016

Grace Ping 7th in New Balance Nationals 2-Mile

Grace Ping 7th in New Balance Nationals 2-Mile.  Results HERE
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Ruby Stauber Third in Brooks PR 800; Garrett Heath 8th in Men's 1500; Christy Cazzola 9th in Women's 800

Ruby Stauber Runs 2:07.33 in Brooks PR 800,
Christy Cazzola 9th in women's 800
Garrett Heath 8th in Men's 1500
Full results HERE.
Top 3 in the Girl's 800. Ruby Stauber 3rd
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USATF MN JO Days 1, 2,&3 Results

USATF Minnesota Days 1, 2 &amp3 Results HERE.
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Becky Miller's Gopher NCAA Photo Gallery

Becky Miller's Gopher NCAA Photo Gallery HERE
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Grandma's Results

Grandma's Results (top 10 men and women)HERE Full results HERE
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Results(Top 10 men and women) HERE.  Full results HERE.


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Harun Abda 2nd in Harry Jerome 800

 Harun Abda 2nd in Harry Jerome Track Classic 800.  Results HERE.
Harun Abda (in green, far right) 2nd in 800.
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Friday, June 17, 2016

William A Irvin 5K Results

William A Irvin 5K Results HERE
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Grace Ping 2nd in New Balance Nationals 5K

Grace Ping 2nd in New Balance Nationals 5K.  Results HERE.
Patrick Roos 17th in boy's 5K. Results HERE.


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USATF MN Junior Olympic Days 1 & 2 Results

USATF Minnesota Junior Olympic Days 1 & 2 Results HERE
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Heather Kampf 3rd in 800; Jaret Carpenter Runs 4:05.73 in Dream Mile; Hasz Twins 7th&8th in Dream 1500



Carpenter finishes 4th. Heather Kampf 3rd in 800 in 2:00.55.  All race results are HERE.
Hasz Twins 7th (Bethany) and 8th(Megan) in 1500
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What do Meb Keflezighi and Adam Nelson Have in Common?

What do marathoner Meb Keflezighi and shot putter Adam Nelson Have in Common? Both are over 40 and both want to win Olympic medals in Rio. Nelson's journey HERE.
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Mason Ferlic Blogs About Winning NCAA Steeple Title

Mason Ferlic Blogs About Winning NCAA Steeple Title HERE
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Duluth News Tribune Reporting on the 40th Anniversary Run of Grandma's Marathon

Duluth News Tribune Reporting on the 40th Anniversary Run of Grandma's Marathon HERE
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Thursday, June 16, 2016

More on St. Scholastica Coach Chad Salmela's Switch

More on St. Scholastica's former XC Ski Coach Chad Salmela's Switch to head XC Running coach and assistant coach for the distance runners in track HERE
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Jaret Carpenter Tests Himself at the Mile

As the field ran down the backstretch for the first time in the 1600 at the MSHSL track championships on Saturday, Wayzata Jaret Carpenter saw and opening between the field and the inside of the track's first lane.  He shot through it, passing everyone on the inside, and all the rest of the runners saw in the rest of the race was his back.

Following his pre-race plan of running 62 second laps for the 1600 Carpenter completed the 3200/1600 double, slowing to 63s on the last two laps to post a winning time of 4:10.89.  It was the most comfortable effort he's had this year on the Hamline track, having run under nine minutes for 3200 at the Elite Meet and then repeating the 3200 win on the opening day of the MSHSL championships in hot, humid conditions in 9:10.46.

Both were solo efforts where Carpenter took off early and was never threatened. Stillwater's Eli Krahn, who did the 3200/1600 double as a freshman and sophomore in 2013-14, said that Carpenter was able to dominate this year because he could adapt to any pace.  Going hard from the beginning.  Throwing in 60 second laps during the middle of the race.

Tomorrow, Carpenter will get his chance to test himself against high school milers from across the country in the "Dream Mile" in Somerville, MA.  In a year when several high school runners have run under four minutes for the mile, the fastest opponent in Carpenter's race, Thomas Ratcliffe  has run 4:01.5.  When asked what he could run in a fast field, Carpenter said he was aiming for 62 second laps for a 4:08.

The weather, as always, will have something to do with the time.  Whatever the conditions, Carpenter will have an opportunity to race among some of the best high school milers and see what he can do.  While longer races are more favored.  He lists the 5K as his favorite distance right now.  He ran 14:58 to win the NXN Heartland XC title in 2015 and was fourth at NXN Nationals.  Tomorrow he'll get to see how fast he can go in the mile.
Photo by Gene Niemi
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Biya Simbassa's Journey

Sarah Barker writes about Team USA Minnesota's Biya Simbassa's journey from "refugee to Olympic hopeful." HERE
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TCTC All-Comers Meet Photos

TCTC All-Comers Photos HERE
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Tuesday, June 14, 2016

TV Feature on Rochester Century's Andy Jacobs

TV Feature on Andy Jacobs HERE
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Kate Shelerud Gopher's 2016 Big Ten Outdoor Women’s Track & Field Sportsmanship Award Recipient


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Gopher Men 18th in Program of the Year Rankings

Gopher Men 18th in DI Program of the Year Rankings HERE
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Why Heart Rate Matters

Why Heart Rate Matters HERE
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Monday, June 13, 2016

Portland Track Festival Results

Portland Track Festival Results HERE

Gabe Grunewald 2nd in 5K HERE
Biya Simbassa 5th Jonathan Grey 15th, Eric Finan 22nd
 in 5K HERE
Meghan Peyton 12th in the 10K HERE.
Harun Abda 5th; Goaner Deng 8th  in 800 meters HERE
Christy Cazzola 18th in 1500 HERE.
Hassan Mead 5th; Travis Burkstrand 12th in 1500 HERE
Nick Wareham 31st in the 3K steeple HERE.
Maddie Van Beek 8th Jennifer Agnew in 3K steeple HERE.

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NCAA DI All-Americans

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Gophers' NCAA Recaps

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Hasz Twins Go Out on Top

Megan Hasz(facing the camera) and Bethany Hasz(802) share the triumph
again, going 1-2 in their last MSHSL Championships 1600 meters.
Photo by Gene Niemi
It was the storybook ending to a memorable career for the Hasz twins, Bethany and Megan, at the MSHSL Outdoor Track Championships.  As usual, they finished first and second in their last race, the 1600 meters.  Bethany's winning time of 4:46.3 was two tenths of a second off of Elizabeth Yetzer's All-Time record for the event, but more importantly the twins scored maxim points for the team competition.

Combine the 22 points from the twins in the 1600 with the 18 points they scored in the 3200 and the twins provided 40 of the team's 44.25 points that gave Alexandria the team title by a scant .25 points over runner up Chanhassen led by sprinter Jedah Caldwell. Caldwell won the 100 and 200 meters, setting a new All-Time record in the 200.  That was good for 24 team points and Caldwell was also the anchor on the 4 by 200 relay that contributed another 6 team points for the team's fourth place finish.

The crucial .25 points for Alexandria came from one of the first events on the program, the high jump, where JeAnna Miller tied for ninth place.  Syri Williams contributed three points by finishing seventh in the 300 hurdles.  Sara Wegner added one point with her ninth place finish in the 400 meters.

The twins went into the 1600 determined not to make the mistake of allowing anyone to get away from them before the final lap of the race, as happened when Forest Lake's Emma Benner used a long kick to triumph in the 3200.  Benner took off with two laps to go and the twins weren't able to cover her move.  In the 1600, they stayed at the front of the pack until a lap to go when first Bethany and then Megan began their 400 meter sprint for home.

While Megan finished first among the twins in the 3200, Bethany had the better kick in the 1600 to cross the finish line first.  More importantly to the twins both were healthy and ready to run.  for the last two years Megan has been battling stress reactions in her shins. This track season she got it under control.  She didn't race the Hamline Elite meet, but was able to line up at the State Meet with confidence and two healthy legs.

It made the finish line hug between the sisters all the more special.  The season doesn't end here, though, as the twins have been invited to compete in the girl's 1500 in Somerville, MA  on Friday, June 17.
The Alexandria Class AA Girl's Team Champions.
Photo by Lance Elliott


The Chanhassan team with the runner-up trophy
Photo by Lance Elliott



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Becky Miller's NCAA Photo Album

Maggie Ewen throwing the shot. Photo by Becky Miller
Hammer throw. Photo by Becky Miller
Mason Ferlic cruises in the heats of the steeplechase.
Photo by Becky Miller
Maggie Ewen concentrating on the hammer. Photo by Becky Miller
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Sunday, June 12, 2016

NCAA Gopher Photo Gallery

 


 NCAA Gopher Photo Gallery  HERE
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Grace Ping Stays Cool in the Heat

Saturday's weather was not as bad as Fridays as the dew points fell.  Once again they didn't seem to slow down Winona's Grace Ping.  Ping came prepared for the heat, however, with a blue duffel bag that contained a white vest filled with ice cold fluids. The ice vest is one of the measures taken by elite runners to keep the body as cool as possible in preparation for racing in hot weather.

"How do you like your ice vest?" Ping was asked.  Grinning she replied: "I love it."  Views are different among sports scientists on how much of an impact such measures have on dealing with the heat, but for Ping it is at least a psychological aid knowing she is doing everything she can to run fast.

As in Friday's 3200 Ping again had an ambitious goal for the season in how fast she wanted to run her events.  4:49 was the "magic number" for the 1600 and she hoped to run under 5 minutes on Saturday.  Ping completed her distance double in a time of 5:02.04.  When she was asked why she had picked 4:49 as her goal for this season, Ping said that was just a number she chose. It wasn't linked to any record or other reason.

She said she only has two races on the track left for this season, a  2-mile and a 5K at next weekend's New Balance Nationals.  After that Ping plans to go back to training and the occasional road race. As the New Balance meet is being held in North Carolina, she'll probably want to pack her ice vest as the conditions will probably be similar to Friday's temperature and humidity.
Grace Ping(1) chasing Hannah Truniger(5) at the beginning of the 1600.
Photo by Gene Niemi
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USATF Minnesota Open and Masters Championship Results

USATF Minnesota Open and Masters Championship Results HERE
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Blake's Jaimi Salone Wins the Double, Goes Out with a Bang

Blake's Jaimi Salone won the Double at the MSHSL Track and Field Championships on the weekend.  She won the Class A shot and discus, where she set a new Class A record with a throw of 155'1". Her two titles and 24 points helped Blake finish second in the team title race behind Minneapolis Edison.

As she was being interviewed, the event announcer told her that Blake was in the top three and could she make sure the team and coaches could come to the awards area for the trophy presentation.

Salone is used to multi-tasking.  A senior, Salone will embark on a degree program in Aeronautical Engineering at Stanford in addition to honing her skills in acting. Salone doesn't just act, she has also written a play, adapted it into a movie, and demonstrated her abilities behind, as well as in front of a camera.

Jaimi will join a former teammate Claire Flanagan, the MSHSL Class A record holder in the 1600 and "Mama Bear" to her teammates when she was at Blake.  Flanagan took care of her teammates, was their leader/ role model.  Salone has done her part to demonstrate to her classmates that hard work and dedication can lead to notable accomplishments.

She was not one of the favorites going into this year's state meet.  She'd finished eighth in the shot put in 2015 and 2nd in the discus to Natalie Manders.  But it all came together in her final year at Blake.  She improved by almost nine feet in the disc and four feet in the shot put. In theatrical terms, Salone went out with a bang
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Lance Elliott's MSHSL Championships Race Videos

Lance Elliott's MSHSL Championships Race Videos HERE
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NCAA DI Results

NCAA DI Results HERE
Gopher summary HERE.
Erin Teschuk 8th in steeplechase HERE
Maggie Ewen 8th in discus HERE


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Saturday, June 11, 2016

Evan McClellon Rolls the Dice and Wins

Evan McClellon Photo by Gene Niemi
Robbinsdale Armstrong's Evan McClellon has been on a roll, shattering records, running fast.  In the prelims of the  100 on Friday McClellon ran 10.46, faster than the all-time MSHSL State Meet 100 record set by Ibrahim Kabia. But the tail wind was above the allowable limit, so the time doesn't count as a new record

More importantly, however, McClellon took away something else from Friday's prelims, a strained left hamstring.  He felt a "twinge" in the back of his leg.  A twinge that turned into pain.  A pain that threatened the goal he'd set for this year.  At last year's MSHSL championships McClellon finished second in the 100 and second in the 200.  He vowed that 2016 would be different.  He would not be the runner-up again.  This time he'd win.

As the season unfolded, McClellon was performing well enough to meet the challenge he'd set for himself.  Then it happened.  The legs that carried him to triumph after triumph had been damaged.  H His quest that had seemed to be a sure thing was shattered like the records he'd been breaking all year. The body that had allowed him to run faster, put him in a position to accomplish his ultimate goal, seemed to have let him down.

What should he, what could he do?  McClellon talked to a doctor who he'd worked with to see what was possible.  He was told to ice the leg.  A "bandage/wrap," extra support for the weakened limb, was applied.  McClellon was told what he could do and what he shouldn't do.  Where the limits were. It was a gamble, and McClellon  chose to "roll the dice."

If the leg held together he could have enough speed and power to accomplish his goal.  If the experiment failed he might do enough damage to the leg that his sprinting career could be in jeopardy.  McClellon settled in the blocks, waited for the sound of the gun, and pushed off the blocks and began the race.

He got a "terrible start."  He was behind.  He didn't panic.  Kept himself under control and "stepped on the gas," the now or never moment when he'd discover if his gamble was going to pay off  or go down in flames.  Fortunately, the hamstring was up to the challenge.  It hurt after the race, but there appeared to be no irreparable harm.  More importantly for him he ran 10.51 with "damaged goods" and he won the race.

McClellon had achieved the goal he'd set out to do.  There would be no more heroics.  "I'm done." He answered to those who wondered if he would run the 200 or race any more in the championships.  Mission accomplished.  "I'm done."


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MSHSL Championship Results

MSHSL Championship Results HERE
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Gene Niemi's Class A Photo Album

Millie Klefsaas sets a new Class A record in the pole vault.
Klefsaas also won the 100 hurdles

Jenna Kes Wins the Triple jump

Grace Ping(1) leads the 1600


Pine Island's Kyle Groven battles Pipestone's Eli Stevens in the 400

The Edison 4 by 100 relay on the way to victory

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Bulletin: Wayzata Boys, Alexandria Girls Win AA Team Titles. Mpls Edison and Rushford-Peterson/Houston Class A .More than a Dozen Records Set

Wayzata scored 75 points to 44 for runner-up Edina to take the Boy's Class AA title.  Alexandria scored 44.25 points to edge Chanhassen by .25 for the Girl's title. Minneapolis Edison scored 46 points to 42 for Blake to win the Class A girl's team title.  Rushford-Peterson/Houston had 57 points to 55 for Pine Islandfor the boy's Class A team championship.


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Gene Niemi's MSHSL Championships Photo Album 1

Lauren Peterson(7), Bethany Hasz(1), Megan Hasz(2) lead the pack.

Bethany(1), Megan(2) and Anastasia Korzenowski

Ruby Stauber in full flight

Jaret Carpenter on his way to victory in the 1600

The Hasz Twins at the finish

Jedah Caldwell wins the 100

Denzel Brown(6) and Evan McClellon
(running with a wrap on his injured hamstring) 
battle for the Boy's 100 title

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Gene Niemi's Photo Album 2

Andrianna Jacobs sets a new record in the Class AA Girl's Pole Vault.

Meleah Biermaier(5) on her way to a new record in the 300 Meter Hurdles

Karina Joiner(left) and Biermaier on the awards stand

Ruby Stauber


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Grace Ping Targets 10:10

Grace Ping winning the Griak Invitational.
Photo by Gene Niemi
As the top finishers in the Class A Girl's 3200 award ceremony were standing in line to go onto the podium one of the other, older runners came up to Ping and said: "Please keep doing what you're doing. You're an inspiration to us all."

Ping, a 7th grader, is also ambitious.  When she was asked what her goal was, she said this year it was to run 10:10 for the 3200.  She was hoping to run that on Friday but it would have had to have been a solo effort in far from perfect conditions for running fast.  Senior Hannah Truniger led for the first few laps, starting with a 74 second first lap, followed by a 79 before Ping took over.

Ping said she followed for the first few laps because she didn't want the first lap to be the fastest lap of her race.  Her strategy was to get faster with every lap, but she ended up running pretty even splits with a 5:15 first 1600, followed by a 5:16 second 1600.  The second 1600 was all on her own as Truniger and 2015 Class A 3200 winner Morgan Richter couldn't hold Ping's pace.

Ping comes back to run the 1600 on Saturday, then will run in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals next weekend in search of that 2016 goal of 10:10.
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Jaret Carpenter Dominates the Distance Races

Jaret Carpenter headed for the finish with Patrick Roos(left) and Jack
Manderscheid(right) behind. Photo by Gene Niemi
If there was any doubts who is  the top male high school distance runner in Minnesota, Jaret Carpenter removed them about half way into the Class AA 3200 Friday morning.  After running side by side or right behind Stillwater's Eli Krahn for most of the first half of the race, which Krahn ran with a metronomic precision at 70 second pace, Carpenter knew what he had to do.

Krahn was going slowly because his race plan was to conserve energy until 600 meters to go and launch his kick.  Carpenter wanted nothing to do with a sit and kick race, so he took charge, as he has all season in both cross country and track by throwing in a mid race surge that nobody could handle. Carpenter threw in a 66 second lap that left everyone else in his wake.

The Edina duo of Jack Manderscheid and Patrick Roos tried to regain lost ground, but couldn't.  The pair had come into the race hoping to take a shot at running under nine minutes as Carpenter did last month in winning the 3200 at the Hamline Elite Meet.  But the increasing heat and humidity caused them to be cautious and run for place, not for time.

Though Carpenter quickly opened up a big lead, he was still nervous.  "I was surprised," he said.  Nobody attempted to cover Carpenter's move, but he didn't believe that, so he looked around.  "I got scared," said Carpenter.  He needn't have been worried as he negative split the race, having gone through the first 1600 around 4:37 and the second half in 4:33.

Though he looked smooth and in control, Carpenter said during the last 200 "bad stuff was happening."  Nothing bad enough to change the outcome of the race, but indicative of Carpenter's leave it all on the track approach that has served him so well during the past year.

Behind the top three Carpenter's teammate Khalid Hussein  and Willmar's Nadir Yusuf were battling for fourth place.  Hussein edged Yusuf by less than a second. Hussein running 9:19.07 and Yusuf 9:19.59.
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Mora's Cole Oslin Saves His Best for Last

Cole Oslin finishing 16th in the 2015 MSHSL XC Championships
Mora senior Cole Oslin didn't have great expectations for his last individual race as a high schooler.  He didn't think he could win the Class A 3200 until the last few yards of the race.  Throughout the event Oslin had a conflicting dialog going on in his head.

A baseball player in a family of nine brothers and two sisters, he  didn't run track until his junior year.  He'd gone out for cross country as a tenth grader to have something to do in the Fall.  In his junior year he realized his sport was not baseball, and that he wanted to run track in college.  Cole dropped baseball and went out for track and "discovered my passion" for running.

On Friday, the passion was there, but the confidence was not.  Having finished eleventh in 2015, he'd hoped for a top three finish this year, but was frustrated by the heat and his inability to get in a good position as the race unfolded.  "I kept getting boxed in and had to run out in the second lane to get out," he said.  "It was frustrating."

The heat didn't help as it added to the tactical struggle.  With two laps to go in the race he was feeling so bad that "my goal was to not drop out," Oslin said.  "Then I thought 'this is my last race, I can't quit. I have to keep going.'" Coming down the final straight Cole found himself on the shoulder of pre-race favorite Zack Emery, but that proximity didn't generate thoughts of victory over the 2015 Class A XC champion.

With 100 meters left he thought to himself: "I can't do this."  But he looked at Emery and saw that Zack was vulnerable.  Emery wasn't pulling away.  He seemed to be slowing down.  With about ten yards to go, Oslin got some confidence.  "I CAN win this," he told himself and with one powerful surge blew past Emery to take the title.

He launched his big kick at just the right time, Cole said.  "If I would have gone sooner or later I don't think I would have won."  He would  have used his energy reserves too soon or waited too long to launch his big move. After he finished he looked more shocked than triumphant, but slowly it sank in, he was the champion.

"I'll probably be a little tired," he said, but on Saturday Oslin will be part of the Mora 4 by 800 relay.  The team has the fastest qualifying time in the slow heat of the relay but he won't be running for himself.  He'll be giving it his all for the team.  Then it's on to college down the road at Concordia St. Paul where he'll be majoring in history and political science with the goal of teaching and coaching after he gets his degree.

Running is his athletic passion and he'll try and share that passion with his new teammates at Concordia and, if all goes as planned, the kids he will someday coach.
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NCAA Day 3 Results

NCAA Day 3 Results HERE
Gopher women's summary HERE.
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Mason Ferlic wins NCAA steeplechase

Video footage of the steeple final HERE
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Friday, June 10, 2016

Emma Benner Demonstrates How to Run in the Heat

Emma Benner(3), Bethany Hasz(1), and Megan Hasz(2) greet each other
 after the finish. Photo by Gene Niemi
It's usually the sprinters who welcome hot, humid weather.  This year's Hamline Elite 3200 champion Forest Lake's Emma Benner said when she saw the weather forecast for Friday: "I was psyched. I love the heat."  She demonstrated that by winning her first state title in a time of 10:29.69.

Last month, when the weather conditions were considered more favorable for distance running, Benner won a dual with Winona Cotter's Grace Ping in a personal best time of 10:28.72.  On Friday, by chance, the race was not a two-person battle.  It unfolded in a manner that was the perfect design for a fast race, rather than the usual championship style these days of a slow pace followed by a big kick to determine the winner.

Minneapolis Washburn's Emily Covert shot off the starting line in a 71 second first quarter, about a second slower than the boy's ran for their first lap of their 3200.  None of the boys really wanted to push the pace, so Stillwater's Eli Krahn, who has one of the best kicks, kept it slow to conserve energy. "I was surprised they let me lead at that pace," said Krahn.

Covert didn't think she was going that fast, she found herself in the lead, and the adrenaline took over.  She hadn't intended to attempt to run away from the field, but she had a four second lead on the first lap and increased it during the second as the chase pack of five that included defending champion Bethany Hasz, her sister Megan, and Benner were in no hurry to close the gap.

The Pack:R to L. Emily Covert(5) Bethany Hasz(1), Megan Hasz(sandwiched
behind Bethany and in front of Benner),Sophie Whicher(4), and  
Anna Fenske(6). Photo by Gene Niemi
The chase pack didn't catch Covert until nearly the half-way mark of the race that they passed in 5:15.  Covert stayed with the pack and the pace didn't drop that much as each of the runners were busy eyeing one another waiting for the last lap sprint.

All of them except Benner.  With a half mile to go, as was her pre-race plan, she accelerated.  Benner quickly opened up a several second lead that grew as the race now became one for second place.  After the race the Hasz twins acknowledged that they didn't respond quick enough to Benner's surge, and when they did it was too late.  Megan, who has battled injuries for the last two years, was able to outkick her sister, defending 3200 champion Bethany Hasz, but neither came close to Benner. Covert finished fifth.

The Hasz twins and Benner are entered in the 1600 tomorrow, but Benner has another engagement today. "I'm graduating tonight," she noted, adding: "It's going to be a little tiring."
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Bulletin: Benner, Carpenter, Joiner, and St. Michael-Albertville 4 by 100 relay Shine in the Heat

,
Karina Joiner(5) on her way toa new 100 Hurdles record.  Followd by Michaela Baker(4)
Meleah Biermaier(6), Rachel Quandt(7 Orange & White), Ella Hommer(8), and Edith
Makori(9). Photo by Gene Niemi
Emma Benner won the girl's 3200.  Jaret Carpenter first in the boy's 3200.  Karina Joiner shatters the  All-Time record in the prelims of the girl's 100 meter hurdles of  13.94. The old record being 14.22 set in 2014. St. Michael Albertville's 4 by 100 girl's relay team broke Hopkins' All-time mark by one hundreth of a second in 47.47 in their qualifying heat. Jonathan Laing set a new wheelchair shot put record of 22'4.75", nearly twice as far as the old record

Live Results HERE

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Thursday, June 09, 2016

NCAA Day 2 Results

NCAA Day 2 Results HERE
Gopher women's summary HERE.
Erin Teschuk 6th in steeple prelims, qualifies for final.
Maggie Ewen 5th in the hammer throw; 19th in shot put.

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Strib MSHSL Girl's Top Ten List

Ten Girl's Athletes Highlight the MSHSL Championships HERE
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NCAA Gophers Photo Gallery

NCAA Gophers Photo Gallery HERE
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Track Minnesota Invitational Results

Track Minnesota Invitational Results HERE
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Research on the "Best Way" to Improve Muscle Strength

Research on the "Best Way" to improve muscle strength HERE
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Sun Sailor Profile on Jaret Carpenter, Wayzata

Sun Sailor Profile on Jaret Carpenter, Wayzata HERE
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Miles List: Boy's Non-Championship Events All-Time Lists, Retired Events

BOY'S NON-CHAMPIONSHIP  EVENTS -ALL TIME LIST 

1500 METER RUN
3:51.11 Ben Blankenship, Stillwater  2007 (equals 4:07.94 1600)
3:55.87 Andy Richardson, Irondale  2005  (equals 4:13.05 1600)
3:58.17 Shane Streich, Waseca  2012 (equals 4:17.23 1600)
3:59.69 Derek Mattila, Staples-Motley 1997 (equals 4:17.15 1600)

 5000 METER RUN
14:34.06 Elliot Heath, Winona  2007

 110 METER 42" HIGH HURDLES
14.08 Niles Deen, St Paul Como Park  1994
14.97 Rupert Bannerman-Thompson, Roseville Area  2005

400 METER HURDLES
53.81 Clayton Johnson, Hastings  2015
55.02 Peter Stuart, Blaine  2001
55.07 Adam Stoudt, Minnetonka  2012
55.17 Niles Deneen, St Paul Como Park  1994
56.22 Jordan Lovestrand, Bloomington Jefferson  2012
57.42 Steve Floyd, Park Center  2000
57.46 Michael Williams, St. Cloud Tech  2002
57.60 Chris Mattke, Elgin-Millville  2000
57.5  JJ Beckstrand, Atwater-GC/Cosmos  1992

 ONE MILE STEEPLCHASE   (no water jumps)
4:43.0  Ron Graham, SP Highland Park  1973

 2000 M STEEPLECHASE
 (with water jumps)
5:54.04 Luke Watson, Stillwater  1998
5:57.78 Jake Watson, Stillwater  2004
6:02.5 Derek Mattila, Staples-Motley  1997
6:10.44 Eric Klingaman, Staples-Motley 1998
6:11.2 Scott Hebel, Burnsville  1986
6:11.83 Josh Gerber, Wayzata  2005
6:11.98 Jon Francis, Stillwater  2000
6:14.75 Ryan Kollman, Centennial  1996
6:16.00 Keith Donovan, Chaska  1989
6:20.61 Jackson Wiley, Eden Prairie  2007
(10)
6:20.87 John Davis, Eden Prairie  2007
6:22.3 Ben Husaby, Eden Prairie  1984
6:22.3 Pat Hoard, Wayzata  1992
6:25.3 Dave Sjogren, Mounds View  1985
6:27.00 Dan Johnson, Hastings  1989

 3000 M STEEPLECHASE
9:28.2 Tim O'Donnell, Simley  1975
9:29.18 Pat Hoard, Wayzata  1993
9:34.87 Luke Watson, Stillwater 1998
9:39.3 Ben Husaby, Eden Prairie  1984
9:42  Bob Fahey, Cretin  1976
9:48.10 Derek Mattila, Staples-Motley  1997
9:51.19 Forrest Tahdooahnippah, St. Paul Central  2002
9:56.3 Dave Sjogren, Mounds View  1986

HAMMER THROW
162-11 Kieran McKeag, Apple Valley  2014

JAVELIN
186-8 Edwin Alberts, Winona  1929
177-10 Louis Alberts, Winona  1926
176-8 Paul Hecimovich, Coleraine  1932
176-0 Karl Schjoll, Northfield  1919
175-2 Connor, Gilbert 1937
174-4 Clarence Munn, Minneapolis North  1928
172-10 Paul Maki, Aurora  1935
172-5 Lloyd Parsons, Mpls Roosevelt  1936
170-8 Ken Dollarhide, Montevideo  1933

Decathalon
5418 Kevin Wolf, Spring Lake Park/ St. Anthony  2007

 DISTANCE MEDLEY (4000 m)
10:10.68 Willmar  2007 (K. Adeys, Z. Coquyt, A. Awale, M. Yusuf)
10:12.67 Lakeville South  2007
10:13.43 Winona  2004
10:16.21 Wayzata  2015
10:22.23 Stillwater Area 1998
10:22.87   Rochester Mayo  1976 (10:27.0)
10:29.3 Austin  1986
10:30.9 Rochester John Marshall  1976 (10:35.0)
10:31.57 Wayzata  2010
10:33.53 Burnsville  2005
(10)
10:33.7 Rochester John Marshall  1974 (10:37.9)
10:34.4 Winona  1985
10:34.82 Burnsville 2006
10:35.2 Mpls Southwest  1974  (10:39.4)
10:35.85 Rosemount  2011
10:35.7 Mounds View  1969  (10:39.9)
10:35.9 Winona  1974  (10:40.1)
10:36.57 Mounds View  2000
10:37.5 St Louis Park  1964  (10:41.7)
10:38.3 Rochester John Marshall  1978  (10:42.5)
(20)
10:38.4 Winona  1978  (10:42.6)
10:39.0 Rochester John Marshall  1986
10:39.1 Rochester John Marshall  1981
10:39.2 Owatonna  1981
10:39.3 North St Paul  1969  (10:43.5)
10:39.94 Winona  2007
10:39.9 Rochester Mayo  1980
10:40.4 Owatonna  1976  (10:44.6)
10:40.8 Faribault  1985
10:41.1 Rochester John Marshall  1980
(30)
10:42.0 Winona  1977  (10:46.2)
10:42.38 Farmington  2015
10:42.2 Rochester Mayo  1978  (10:46.4)
10:42.5 Albert Lea  1978  (10:46.7)
10:42.7 Wayzata  1972  (10:46.9)
10:42.8 Rochester JM  1986
10:44.0 Winona  1986
10:44.5 Mankato West  1983
10:44.6 Mankato West  1985
10:44.9 Faribault  1984
(40)
10:45.7 Winona  1983

4 x 1600 RELAY (with baton)
17:22.17 Willmar  2007  (17:29.09y) (K. Adeys, M. Hassan, M. Yusuf, M. Bedel)
17:31.28 Lakeville North  2006  (17:38.26y)
17:44.3 Stillwater  2004
17:49.8 Stillwater  1998
17:54.5 Osseo  1985
18:03.4 Mpls Central  1964  (18:10.5)
18:12.3 Rosemount  2011
18:18.5 Mpls Southwest  1974  (18:25.7)
18:20.6 Mounds View  1969  (18:27.9)
18:21.1 Stillwater  2006
18:21.9 Osseo  1972   (18:29.2)

 MINNESOTA ALL-TIME RETIRED EVENTS
100 YARD DASH
9.6 Mark Lutz, Rochester Mayo  1969-70
9.6 Merlin Schauer, Delano  1971
9.7 Pat Clark, Rochester Lourdes  1956
9.7 Butch Miller, Mpls Central  1960
9.7 Pete Shea, Richfield  1966
9.7 Bob Timm, Cooper 1967
9.7 Randy Timm, Cooper  1973
9.7 Mike Yost, Mounds View 1975
9.7 Rick Kjosling, Litchfield  1975
9.7 Elwin Burditte, Minnetonka 1976
(10)
9.7 Jeff Byrd, Mpls Central  1978
9.7 Jeff Brostrom, LaCrescent  1979
9.8 Clayton Burkstrand, Mpls Central  1952
9.8 Bob Hageman, Rochester  1953
9.8 Tom Caswell, Blake  1956
9.8 Jim White, Hibbing  1961
9.8 Bill Stevens, Blake  1962
9.8 Blaine Chatham, Mpls Central  1963-4
9.8 Dave Larkin, SP Mechanic Arts  1965
9.8 Terry Larson, Stillwater  1966
(20)
9.8 Ron Dachis, St Louis Park  1967
9.8 Paul Bearman, St Louis Park  1967
9.8 Dwayne Bowles, Mpls Central  1969
9.8 Greg Kloss, Brainerd  1976
9.8 Robert Blakely, SP Cental  1977-8

 220 YARD DASH
(Run on a straightaway)
20.7 Mark Lutz, Rochester Mayo  1970
21.3 Jim White, Hibbing  1961
21.4 Frank Jordan, Mankato  1948
21.5 Tom Hardy, Austin  1962
21.6 Butch Miller, Mpls Central  1960
21.6 Mike Gillham, St Louis Park  1962
21.6 Jeff Haines, Minnetonka  1962
21.7 Burie Carmichael, Mpls Central  1952
21.7 John Goebel, Hill  1966
21.8 Ray Nevala, Embarass  1951
21.8 Dan Barklind, Mechanic Arts  1962
21.8 Bill Terriquez, St. Louis Park  2966

660 YARD RUN
1:22.90 David Platner, Eden Prairie 2009 (1:22.34m)
1:22.7   Mark Becker, Edina  1969
1:22.95 Frank Falzone, Stillwater  2009  (1:22.39m)
1:23.17 Cal Lawton, Eden Prairie  2014  (1:22.60m)
1:23.8   Jim Lieb, Mpls Southwest  1974
1:24.08 Oliver Kitzerow  2015  (1:23.51m)
1:24.3   Barry Papermaster, St Louis Park  1972
1:24.3   Skip Chalker, Edina East  1974
1:24.64 Cal Lawton, Eden Prairie  2012 (1:24.07m)
1:24.7   Jim Bergen, Stillwater  1978

180 YARD LOW HURDLES
19.0 Bill McNee, Alexander Ramsey  1965
19.0 Tom Luckemeyer, St Cloud Tech  1974
19.2 Roy Henriksen, Alexander Ramsey  1960
19.2 Tony Lynch, Intl Falls  1962
19.2 Ralph Wirtz, Coon Rapids  1967
19.2 Bob Daly, St Louis Park  1967
19.2 Kevin Ault, White Bear Lake  1969
19.2 Mike Jauss, Montevideo  1972
19.3 Al Montgomery, SP Washington  1966-7
19.3 Jeff Luedeke, Richfield  1967
(10)
19.3 Mark Becker, Edina  1969
19.3 John Bonstrom, Richfield  1970
19.3 Dave Carlson, St Louis Park  1970
19.3 Jerry Johnson, Moorhead  1971
19.3 Rich Nodland, Alexandria  1972
19.3 Greg Schmidt, Alexander Ramsey  1972
19.3 Jim Billingsley, White Bear Lake  1973
19.3 Larry Raddatz, South St Paul  1973
19.3 Jeff Hawkins, Elk River  1974
19.3 George Csathy, Robbinsdale  1977
(20)
19.4 Gerry Brouwer, St Louis Park  1963
19.4 Phil Stewart, North St Paul  1966
19.4 Joe Burkhardt, St Paul Monroe  1966
19.4 Glen Snesrud, Bl Lincoln  1967
19.4 Steve Holum, Moorhead  1970
19.4 Dave Grinaker, Moorhead  1973
19.5 John Stanley, North St Paul  1961
19.5 Scott Sharpe, Richfield  1968
19.5 Rick Hexum, Rochester JM  1969
19.5 Andy Urech, Irondale  1970
(30)
19.5 Bill Krueger, White Bear Lake  1970
19.5  Smith, North St Paul  1970
19.5 Willie Richardson, SP Mechanic Arts  1971
19.5 Dave Carlson, St Louis Park  1971
19.5 Tom Nelson, Lamberton  1972
19.5 Hank Mosier, Hermantown  1972
19.5 John Thorvilson, Robbinsdale  1973
19.5 Terry DeSutter, Aitkin  1975

“Straddle Style” HIGH JUMP
6-6.75 Tom Stuart, Breckinridge  1963

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