Detherage Recounts Race at Tyson

Jenelle Detherage was second this weekend behind Christin Wurth-Thomas's meet record in the 1,500 at the Tyson Invitational.

Detherage had the following to say about her race and next weekend: "I was hoping for more of a race-type situation but the field ended up being really small and the pace up front really quick, so it strung out almost immediately. I decided to go with Christin and her rabbit even though I knew it would be fast. I felt pretty good through 1200 meters but ultimately wasn't able to hang on for the last quarter. It wasn't pretty, but I ended up running an indoor personal best so I can't complain. Next up is indoor nationals on Saturday."


Photo by Victor Sailer http://www.photorun.net/.

DtB, USATF-Minnesota Inaugurate Partnership

If you've clicked on the USATF-Minnesota logo at the top of the DtB sidebar recently, you've noticed that the local USATF Association has updated it's web-site.

And, for that matter, if you hadn't been to DtB recently, you may have been surprised to see the USATF-Minnesota logo, along with that of the TC Running Company, on the DtB sidebar at all. Just as things are changing throughout the world of media, things are changing close to home and in our sport.

USATF-Minnesota, as it announced last year, is no longer producing an ink-on-paper magazine, but has chosen to move some of the content elements that appeared in its publication Minnesota Running & Track -- features, photos, columns -- to its redesigned web-site. As the season advances, visitors to the new USATF-Minnesota site should expect lots of interesting stuff to see, USATF officials say.

"We have redesigned our own web site to offer our membership USATF-specific content, as well as many of the features that used to appear in Minnesota Running & Track magazine," Pete Miller, the Communications Chair for USATF- Minnesota explained.

USATF-Minnesota has also partnered with Down the Backstretch in an effort to make sure local fans and participants in the sport are up-to-date on all that's going on.

"The USATF Minnesota Board decided that the best way to provide news and information to our members already exists," Miller added. "That is why the organization decided to support Down the Backstrech. The board feels that it is a unique communications tool that doesn't exist in many other markets."

For its own part, Down the Backstretch, begun a hobby, is now trying to make itself a sustainable little business. USATF-Minnesota's financial support -- and that of the TC Running Company -- takes DtB a long way toward that goal. Advertisers, we hope, will also play an important role in our viability.

Down the Backstretch looks forward to covering "Running and Track from Minnesota" for a good, long time. With our partners USATF-Minnesota and the TC Running Company, we're poised to make that a reality.

Keep reading ... we'll keep reporting.

Cheever, Torchia Set Indoor Marks--Heath and Grinaker Do Well at Husky Meet

University of Minnesota Senior Jamie Cheever continues breaking records. At the Iowa State Classic on Saturday, Cheever ran 9:20:23 to finish second in the 3K. She broke her own school record in the event, set earlier this year, by over four seconds. Half miler Heather Dorniden finished third in the mile in 4:43.58 with teammate Nikki Swenson taking fifth in 4:47.31.

Junior Julie Schwengler was third in the 800 in 2:06.64 with Senior Challie Larson winning the 600 in 1:22.78. Jamie Dittmar was third(1:22.98), Brittni Swanson sixth(1:25.05) and Shannon Dagget eighth(1:26.20). In the field events, Liz Podominick took eighth in the shot put, and Caitlin Roemhildt was sixth in the high jump. For full meet results, click here.

For the men, Sophomore Mike Torchia set a school record in the 5K indoors, running 14:06.64(15th place) at the Husky Invitational in Seattle, Washington. Freshman Hassan Mead ran 8:01.8(12th place) in the 3K, giving him a provisional qualifying time for the NCAA Indoor Championships. Chris Rombough ran 8:14.62(22nd place) in the same event. Mead's time was a frosh record.

A couple of Minnesotans who run for other schools did well at the Husky meet. Stanford's Garrett Heath ran 3:58.71 in the mile to finish second. He was sandwiched between Stanford grads, edged out by Russell Brown, who was timed in 3:58.68, but in front of Olympian Gabe Jennings, who was third in 3:58.83. Super race. Wisconsin's Hanna Grinaker ran 16:36 in the women's 5K, finishing fifth. Heath's performance was an automatic qualifier for NCAA indoors. Grinaker's a provisional qualifier.

For full results from the Husky Classic, click here.

Alex Gits talks about USATF experience

Edina's Alex Gits finished second in the Junior Women's 6K at the USATF Championships in San Diego on Saturday. This qualified her to represent the US at the IAAF World Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 30. Afterwards she shared her thoughts: "First of all it was an incredible experience to run with some of the best up-and-coming distance runners in the country, and then finish the race and watch the pros take on what we had just completed. I thought my race went very well but I didn't finish where I did with out a little bit of luck.

"I went into the race with a temporary strategy. I say temporary because every race is different and you must always adjust to the runners beside you and be in tune to your inner racer. I wanted to stay conservative for the first 4K and then break out and do with what I had for the last 2K. Luckily I had a solid front pack in front of me for the first 3.5K who I could run behind and take energy from. Once Jordan(Hasay, the defending champion) and I split away and then when she split from me on the final 2K I made a quick decision- I could go with her and then risk pushing myself too hard and falling back, or stay where I am (with a good lead over the third runner) and finish the race strong to qualify, I chose the latter.

"The conditions couldn't have been more perfect and as far as great race weekend memories...I came with three of my teamates on the guys side and a male asisstant coach. Being the sole female was actually quite fun. It's interesting to see that other side of your team in an intimate atmosphere with only a total of five of us traveling. I also enjoyed seeing my parents, who came all the way from chilly Minnesota- my mom actually was hesitant to bring shorts on the trip because she had grown so accustomed to bundling up! Overall, nationals was a fantastic experience and I can't wait for Scotland. All the qualifiers I was talking to seem incredibly sweet, and I can't wait to share the glory of representing the United States with them."

For a video interview with Alex, click here.

Brown Takes it to the Next Level

Emily Brown and Katie McGregor follow Renee Metivier to the finish line of the Open Women's 8k at the 2008 USA Cross Country Championships.

Emily Brown had a breakthrough performance in her first appearance at the USA Cross Country Championships on Saturday, finishing third in a stellar field. Shalane Flanagan cruised to an easy victory over the 8k course. Her time of 25:26 was 1:10 faster than the pack of Renee Metivier, Brown and Katie McGregor. Brown, a recent University of Minnesota graduate, seems to be thriving in the post-collegiate environment of Team USA Minnesota. Her fitness level was evident earlier this year when she won the 3,000 meters at the Jack Johnson Minnesota Classic in 9:10.6 – a 17 second PR. That time established a new U of M fieldhouse record, bettering Sabrina Dornhoefer's 9:15.95 mark from 1990.

Brown and McGregor both secured a spots on the U.S. team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 30. This is the sixth straight year that McGregor has earned a position on the team. Other Minnesotans in the field included Cack Ferrell in 15th, Mandi Zemba in 19th and Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle in 22nd.

Alex Gits, the former Edina star and current Stanford freshman, finished second in the Junior Women's 6k to also earn a seat on the plane to Edinburgh. Jordan Hasay, the 16 year old phenom defended her title from 2007, running 20:32 to Gits' 20:45. Minnetonka's Emily Schwitzer, who is a freshman at Duke, also made the US junior team, finishing fifth in 21:34.

There were fewer bright spots for Minnesotans in the men's races on Saturday. Elliot Heath was attempting to defend his Junior Men's 8k title from 2007, but finished in 27th place. The Stanford freshman ran with the leaders in the first half of the race, but dropped back over the final 2k loop.

Andrew Carlson was the top Minnesota finisher in the Open Men's 12k event, finishing in 15th place. Sean Graham followed in 17th, Chris Lundstrom in 63rd, Christopher Raabe in 64th and Levi Severson in 76th.

Full results are available at usatf.org.

Video courtesy of RunnerSpace.com

Kara Goucher talks about Birmingham

Ever have a bad day at the office. Kara Goucher had that kind of day on Saturday in Birmingham, England. Goucher ran 8:57.53, listed as a a personal best for 3K indoors only because she doesn't run the distance often. Goucher set her PR for the 3K in Reiti last summer, running 8:34.99.

These are Kara's comments on her race: "Ugh! That was not good! I have been feeling a little under the weather since Millrose. I was so excited to run here, and the track is beautiful! Unfortunately, I just struggled today. As soon as the gun went off I felt totally drained. My breathing was controlled, but my body had no fight, no pop. I am frustrated that I felt bad at this particular meet, where there was such a great chance to run fast. But, I really feel like this is part of the game, and I'm not going to let it shake my confidence. It's not what I was looking for, but it's over and now I am going to focus on getting healthy... And maybe running that indoor 1500. We'll see if I perk up over the next few days."

Photo by Victor Sailer http://www.photorun.net/.

Tollefson talks about Tyson

Carrie Tollefson was sixth in her first race at the Tyson Invitational on Friday. Here are her comments on the race: "The race was my first track race in a year and a half. I was hoping to be competitive with the girls up front but am not quite ready. We went out faster then I could handle(66[for 400],2:13[800]) and just couldnt hang on. I think a 2:16 or 17 would have given me a better shot at a mid 4:30, which I would have been okay with, but I went over the edge too early. I wasnt planning on racing this early, but after a couple good workouts thought it would be good to throw myself in there. I do not feel this is an indication of my fitness, only an indication that I am rusty and racing for the first time after major surgery and my longest layoff. We have had three months of good training and I am still excited about the summer. Yes, I have a lot of work to do, but have my goals changed? Absolutely not!! I keep saying I am on the Giants plan, nothing matters until the championships! I thank everyone for their support and patience. I can't tell you all how nice it is to run a race without pain. Now getting my mind and legs race sharp is all we have to worry about. I am a fighter and this race reminded me why I have done all I can do to get back to this sport. I love it and cant wait to get back out there after a bit more work!"

Photo by Victor Sailer, courtesy of Team USA Minnesota.

Surprises in Birmingham

If you managed to watch the Norwich Union Birmingham Grand Prix, there were lots of surprises. First. Meseret Defar did not make it to the starting line. She fell victim to food poisioning, according to the BBC commentators. Next, the race distance was changed to 3K instead of 2-miles. Finally, Kara Goucher was not a factor in the race. The event was won by Ethiopia's Gelete Burka in 8:31.94. Burka was on world record pace with a 4:11 opening 1,500 meters, but slowed over the final laps.

Deatherage second in Arkansas

Jenelle Deatherage continued her fine indoor running with a second place finish in the Tyson Invitational Friday night. Her time was 4:31.84, about four seconds back of race winner, Christin Wurth-Thomas, who ran 4:27.18. Team USA Minnesota's Carrie Tollefson was sixth in her first race back in 4:42.85. More later.

What's Happening This Weekend

Team USA Minnesota's Michelle Lilienthal will be running in Austin, TX at the AT&T Austin Half Marathon. For a live webcast of the marathon and half-marathon click here. For full results on either race click here.

For news on Kara Goucher at the Norwich Union Grand Prix click here.

The U of M women's track team will compete this weekend at the Iowa State Classic in Ames. Big Ten athlete of the week, Jamie Cheever, moves up to the 3K while Heather Dorniden will run the mile. Paul vaulters Andrea Smith, Alicia Rue, and Laura Massey hope to continue their rewriting of the Gopher record book and their own personal bests. Pentathlete Liz Roehrig continues to prepare for the outdoor season by competing in three events. Results can be found here.

The Gopher men will split their team this weekend. The majority of the team will compete in Ames. Several of the distance runners will run at the University of Washington’s Husky Classic. The rest of the men's team Gophers will compete at the St. Cloud State Open. Links to these three meets can be found here.

Many MIAC teams will also be competing in Ames at the Iowa State meet. Others will be at the Tostrud Classic, in St. Cloud, St. Scholastica, Augsburg, or at the Bison Classic. The full schedule and listing of the MIAC athletes of the week can be found here.

Locally, the Marathon Sports Valentine 5K is Saturday at Lake Harriet starting at 10 a.m.

Strong Field of Minnesotans to Run at USA Cross Country Championships

Over 700 of the country's best distance runners will converge on San Diego, California, this Saturday for the USA Cross Country Championships. As usual, an experienced contingent of Minnesotans will be competing for national championships and coveted spots on the U.S. Team that will compete at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 30.


Winona's Elliot Heath, a freshman at Stanford University, will defend his title in the Junior Men's 8k. Alex Gits of Edina, also a freshman at Stanford, will compete in the Junior Women's 6k. Both Heath and Gits won Minnesota Class AA 3200 meter titles last spring.

Team USA Minnesota will be well represented, with seven athletes competing. The Men's Open 12k field will include Team USA Minnesota athletes Andrew Carlson, Matt Gabrielson and Chris Lundstrom. Carlson finished 11th in the event last year, but was named to the U.S. team when a number of athletes declined the trip to the World Championships in Mombasa, Kenya. Carlson later had to withdraw from the team after suffering a cracked rib from a fall during a training run. Gabrielson, who finished 12th in 2007, will be seeking to make his fourth consecutive trip to the World Cross Country Championships.

The Team USA Minnesota women will be led by Katie McGregor, who has qualified for the World Championships Cross Country team each of the past five years. She will be joined by teammates Emily Brown, Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle and Mandi Zemba in the Women's Open 8k. Brown and Zemba, two of the newest members of the Twin Cities-based training group, will be competing in the USA Cross Country Championships for the first time.

A number of former Minnesota high school stars will also be competing in San Diego. The Women's Open field will include Cack Ferrell, who competed for St. Paul Academy and Summit School and Princeton University. Ferrell now trains with the Oregon Track Club Elite program. Ferrell was named to the World Championships team in 2007 and led the U.S. to an eighth place finish in Kenya.

The Men's Open field will feature former Stillwater and William & Mary standout Sean Graham, who also trains with the Oregon Track Club Elite program. If Graham makes the World Championships team he will be reunited with his high school coach, Scott Christensen who will coach the U.S. senior men's team. Also registered for the Men's Open event are Christopher Raabe, formerly of Sauk Rapids and North Dakota State and Levi Severson, formerly of Waseca and the University of St. Thomas. Severson will represent the U.S. Air Force in the Armed Forces Cross Country Championships, which take place in conjunction of the National Championships event.

Some of the country's best masters runners will also be competing in San Diego, running 8k over the Mission Bay Park course. Minnesotans Paul Giannobile (45-49), Barb Spannaus (60-64) and Thom Weddle (65-69) will be among the competitors.

A complete list of entrants is available at usatf.org.

Watch DtB for results over the weekend, and early next week a report from Stillwater coach Scott Christensen, who will be at the meet, and event photos.

Goucher takes on Defar

On Saturday in Birmingham, England Kara Goucher will line up next to three Ethiopians at the Norwich Union Indoor Grand Prix 2-mile. Meseret Defar, who set a new world indoor best of 9:10:50 on January 26 at the Reebok Invitational in Boston, will have two teammates and a pacer to help her attempt to break her own record. Goucher will be testing herself against runners she hopes to face later this year in the Olympic 10,000 meter final. In the process, however, she could also find herself challenging the American record.

That record, 9:23.28 by Regina Jacobs in 2002, which was the world best that Defar shattered, would be a bonus for Goucher, who targeted the race not based on running a fast time, but to test herself against the Ethiopians. New Zealand's Kim Smith, who finished behind Goucher in the IAAF World Championship 10K in Osaka and later on that summer in the post championship Grand Prix meets, ran 9:13.94 in Boston behind Defar. Smith will not be in the race at Birmingham, but she demonstrated in Boston that she could stick with Defar over the short distance, which should increase Goucher's confidence.

In Boston Defar went through 800 meters in 2:18, 1,000 meters in 2:52.2, the mile in 4:38.4, and 2K at 5:46. So Goucher will have to be able to be able to cope with both a fast second mile and Defar's formidable kick. Despite a pre-Christmas operation on her knee, Goucher has salvaged an indoor track season she feared she might not be able to complete. She initially had planned on doing a few mile races in January mostly "for fun," with the primary goal of the indoor season being the race in Birmingham.

Instead of multiple mile races leading up to Birmingham, however, Goucher pared her indoor season down to the Millrose Games mile and Birmingham. A win at Millrose was another unexpected bonus and made this weekend's race less of an experiment or pre-Beijing test. It could be transformed from merely a record attempt for the Ethiopian into a race between potential Beijing medal contenders. Records may fall, but perhaps more importantly, Goucher will learn more about herself and her competition in the first test of the year of her Olympic aspirations.

Photo by Victor Sailer http://www.photorun.net/.

Tyson Women's Mile

In case you can't wait for the ESPN Broadcast at 5 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, the Tyson Invitational meet results are available here.

For Minnesotans the featured event is the women's mile Friday night(9:25 p.m.) featuring Jenelle Deatherage and Carrie Tollefson.

Gleason featured in SI

Hamline's Brandon Gleason joins Kara Goucher and other noteworthy Minnesotans this week by appearing in in the Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section of this week's magazine--The February 18 issue, not the Swimsuit issue. You can take a look at it here.

On February 11, 2007, Gleason was on a training run in St. Paul when he was struck by an SUV and both of his legs were run over. He fractured the tibia in his right leg and a steel rod had to be inserted along the length of the bone to repair the fracture. He returned to competition on January 26, running 8:34.45 for 3K at the Iowa State Open.

Photo courtesy of Hamline University.

The Miles Lists: Retired and Non-Championship Events

Here are the all-time best marks in boys high school events that have either been discontinued or are no longer contested for championships in the MSHSL. With these events, we complete our publication of the Miles Lists -- the comprehensive boys high school performance lists compiled by Wayzata High School coach Bill Miles and his brother Tim Miles, the coach at St. John's University.

See all the "Miles Lists" we've published HERE.

RETIRED AND NON-CHAMPIONSHIP 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 - 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
(10)
21.8 Dan Barklind, Mechanic Arts 1962

660 YARD RUN
1:22. Mark Becker, Edina 1969
1:23.8 Jim Lieb, Mpls Southwest 1974
1:24.3 Barry Papermaster, St Louis Park 1972
1:24.3 Skip Chalker, Edina East 1974
1:24..7 Jim Bergen, Stillwater 1978

1500 METERS
3:51.11 Ben Blankenship, Stillwater Area 2007 (equal 4:07.94 1600)
3:55.87 Andrew Richardson, Irondale 2007 (equal 4:13.05 1600)
3:59.69 Derek Mattila, Staples-Motley 1997 (equal 4:17.15 1600)

5000 METERS
14:34.06 Elliott 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

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)

400 METER HURDLES
55.02 Peter Stuart, Blaine 2001
55.17 Niles Deneen, St Paul Como Park 1994
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

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

SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY
3:27.2* Burnsville 1978 (3:28.5*)
3:27.4 Edina East 1974 (3:28.7y)
3:28.1 White Bear Mariner 1979
3:28.2 Rochester JM 1976 (3:29.5y)
3:28.3* White B Mariner 1978 (3:29.6*)
3:28.4 Mounds View 1976 (3:29.7y)
3:28.8 Wayzata 1977 (3:30.1y)
3:29.16 Bloom Jefferson 1984
3:29.0 Albert Lea 1977 (3:30.3y)
3:29.47 Stillwater 1996
(10)
3:29.2 Albert Lea 1976 (3:30.5y)
3:29.5 Rochester JM 1972 (3:30.8y)
3:29.85 Burnsville 1996
3:30.1 Rochester JM 1974 (3:31.4y)
3:30.36 Stillwater 1986
3:30.2 Rochester Mayo 1976 (3:31.5y)
3:30.4 White Bear Lake 1978 (3:31.7y)
3:30.79 Park 1992
3:30.91 Stillwater 1998
3:30.7 Mounds View 1975 (3:32.0y)
(20)
3:30.7 Stillwater 1977 (3:32.0y)
3:30.7 Burnsville 1977 (3:32.0y)
3:30.98 Stewartville 1996
3:30.8 Moorhead 1972 (3:32.1y)
3:30.8 Simley 1976 (3:32.2y)
3:31.10 St Cloud Apollo 1983
3:31.19 Stewartville 1995
3:31.0 Northfield 1985
3:31.26 Stewartville 1994
3:31.1 Edina East 1975 (3:32.5y)
(30)
3:31.2 Moorhead 1971 (3:32.6y)
3:31.53 Stillwater 1991
3:31.3 White Bear Lake 1972 (3:32.7y)
3:31.63 Eagan 1994
3:31.4 Edina 1970 (3:32.8y)
3:31.4 St Paul Cretin 1975 (3:32.8y)
3:31.69 Stillwater 1992
3:31.5 Minnetonka 1988
3:31.6 Rochester JM 1975 (3:33.0y)
3:32.12 Blaine 1983
(40)
3:31.9 Rochester JM 1978 (3:33.3y)
3:32.23 Apple Valley 1991
3:32.0 Hill-Murray 1987
3:32.0 Mounds View 1977 (3:33.4y)
3:32.3 Bloom Lincoln 1978 (3:33.7y)
3:32.56 Moorhead 1987
3:32.4 Albert Lea 1973 (3:33.8y)
3:32.4 Osseo 1976 (3:33.8y)
3:32.72 White Bear Lake 1998
3:32.5 Edina 1969 (3:33.9y)
(50)
3:32.5 Mpls Washburn 1970 (3:33.9y)
3:32.5 White B Mariner 1974 (3:33.9y)
3:32.5 Simley 1975 (3:33.9y)
3:32.77 Apple Valley 1983
3:32.6 Albert Lea 1980
3:32.6 Alex Ramsey 1973 (3:34.0y)
3:32.6 Bloom Kennedy 1973 (3:34.0y)
3:32.6 Blue Earth 1976 (3:34.0y)
3:32.7 White B Mariner 1976 (3:34.1y)
3:32.98 Bloom Jefferson 1985
(60)
3:32.8 St Paul Park 1970 (3:34.2y)
3:32.9 Osseo 1975 (3:34.3y)
3:32.9 Park Center 1977 (3:34.3y)
3:32.9 Blaine 1984
3:33.17 St Cloud Apollo 1987
3:33.18 Bloom Jefferson 1982
3:33.0 Burnsville 1981
3:33.0 Mpls South 1984
3:33.33 Forest Lake 1995
3:33.1 Edina 1971 (3:34.5y)
(70)
3:33.1 Austin 1973 (3:34.5y)
3:33.1 White Bear Lake 1985
3:33.34 Faribault 1996
3:33.41 Mpls South 1993
3:33.41 Wayzata 1994
3:33.2 Bloom Lincoln 1970 (3:34.6y)
3:33.2 Burnsville 1972 (3:34.6y)
3:33.2 Robb Cooper 1979
3:33.2 Forest Lake 1985
3:33.2 Stillwater 1985
(80)

DISTANCE MEDLEY (4000 m)
10:10.68 Willmar 2007
(Kaafi Adeys, Zack Coquyt,
Abdi Awale, Mustufa Yusuf)
10:12.67 Lakeville South 2007
10:13.43 Winona 2004
10:22.23 Stillwater Area 1998
10:22.87 Rochester Mayo 1976 (10:27.0y)
10:33.0 Austin 1986 (10:33.1y)
10:30.3 Winona 1985 (10:34.4y)
10:33.53 Burnsville 2005
10:34.82 Burnsville 2006
10:35.2 Mpls Southwest 1974 )10:39.4y)
(10)
10:35.7 Mounds View 1969 (10:39.9y)
10:36.57 Mounds View 2000
10:36.6 Faribault 1985 (10:40.8y)
10:37.5 St Louis Park 1964 (10:41.7y)
10:38.6 Rochester JM 1986 (10:42.8y)
10:39.3 North St Paul 1969 (10:43.5y)
10:39.94 Winona 2007
10:39.8 Winona 1986 (10:44.0y)
10:40.3 Mankato West 1983 (10:44.5y)
10:40.4 Mankato West 1986 (10:44.6y)
(20)

4 x 1600 METER RELAY (w/ Baton)
17:29.09 Willmar 2007
(Kaafi Adeys, Mahad Hassan,
Mustufa Yusuf, Mohamed Bedel)
17:38.26 Lakeville North 2006
17:44.3 Stillwater 2004
17:49.8 Stillwater 1998
17:54.5 Osseo 1985
18:03.4 Mpls Central 1964 (18:10.5y)
18:18.5 Mpls Southwest 1974 (18:25.7y)
18:20.6 Mounds View 1969 (18:27.9y)
18:21.1 Stillwater 2006
18:21.9 Osseo 1972 (18:29.2y)

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
174-4 Clarence Munn, Minneapolis North 1928
172-5 Lloyd Parsons, Mpls Roosevelt 1936
170-8 Ken Dollarhide, Montevideo 1933

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

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

Penguins for Me ... DtB for Everybody Else

DtB Editor/Publisher Charlie Mahler here ...

You're wondering what's up with the penguins on this post, I bet?

We'll, for the next few weeks, I'll be focusing my attention not on the stars of Minnesota track and field, cross country, and road racing but rather on the celebrities of the Antarctic: Megellanic, Adelie, and Gentoo Penguins (pictured) and their brethren ... and on travel to Antarctica, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands.

Yep, I'm going on a cruise!

The polar regions have always fascinated me and when a long-time friend offered the opportunity to cruise to Antarctica at a greatly reduced price, I couldn't say no. So, for the next three weeks, I'll be pondering the exploits of Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott rather than the performances of Goucher, Marks, and Dilling.

Hopefully, you all will hardly notice that I'm gone. I've asked Jim Ferstle, a freelance writer who lives in St. Paul and who has covered the sport for years, to carry the baton for me while I'm away. Jim's been a running-reporting hero of mine since I first read his work in the Pioneer Press in the mid-1980s, so I'm pleased, flattered, and humbled to have him sitting in my chair.

Between Jim at the helm and the usual support DtB gets from Pete Miller, Chris Marshall and our other contributors, the plan is to keep you all very well-informed about "Running and Track from Minnesota" in the coming weeks.

So while I'm away, enjoy the excitement of the climaxing indoor season and the building energy of the international cross country campaign ... and know that I'll be checking DtB for news, myself ... whenever I visit a penguin colony with a strong wireless signal.

Photo by Carrie Jennings.

Deatherage, Lehmkuhle Named Athletes of the Month

The Minnesota Association of USA Track & Field anounced that Jenelle Deatherage and Jason Lehmkuhle were named USATF - Minnesota's Athletes of the Month for February.

Deatherage (pictured) was recognized for her victory in the mile at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on January 26. The former Team USA Minnesota star clocked 4:32.95 in an effort that re-established her as a contender for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team at 1500 meters.

Lehmkuhle was recognized for his runner-up finish at the USA Half Marathon Championship in Houston on January 13. Lehmkuhle, who finished 5th at the U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in November, clocked a PR 1:02:32 in the effort.

USA Track & Field Minnesota selects Athletes of the Month to honor excellence in track and field and its related sports in Minnesota. USA Track & Field is the governing body of the sport in the United States and the Minnesota Association of USATF sanctions and sponsors track and field, cross country, road racing, and racewalking events for athletes of all ages in the state.

Photo by Victor Sailer http://www.photorun.net/.

The Miles Lists: 3200 Meter Relay

Here are the 2007 and all-time Minnesota high school boys performance lists for the 3200 Meter Relay as compiled by St. John's coach Tim Miles and Wayzata coach Bill Miles.

See all the "Miles Lists" we've published so far HERE.

3200 METER RELAY

2007 BESTS
Willmar 7:42.24
(Yusuf, Awale, Adeys, Coquet)
Mounds View 7:45.95
(Evans, Bradley, Wrobel, Shelendich)
Lakeville South 7:53.79
Apple Valley 7:54.52
Eastview 7:54.71
Pine Island 7:56.21
Buffalo 7:56.50
Rosemount 7:57.55
Eden Prairie 7:59.60
Moorhead 8:00.20
(10)
Stillwater Area 8:00.42
Fairmont 8:00.70
Edina 8:01.00
North Branch 8:01.07
Hastings 8:01.53
Minnetonka 8:02.02
Hopkins 8:02.46
Zumbrota-Mazeppa 8:02.54
Brainerd 8:02.71
Osseo 8:03.28
(20)
Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony 8:03.66
Woodbury 8:04.09
Concordia Academy 8:04.27
Redwood Valley 8:04.70
Roseville Area 8:05.77
Warroad 8:06.06
Grand Rapids 8:06.24
Duluth East 8:06.25
Foley 8:07.12
Wayzata 8:08.11
(30)
Minneapolis De La Salle 8:08.48
Robbinsdale Armstrong 8:08.50
Burnsville 8:08.58
Bemidji 8:08.99
Morris Area 8:09.09
Plainview-Elgin-Millville 8:11.87
Sauk Centre 8:12.84
Esko 8:13.44
Delano 8:14.15
Forest Lake 8:14.66
(40)
Park Center 8:15.01
Richfield 8:15.06
North St. Paul 8:14.9
Holy Family Catholic 8:15.64
Rochester Mayo 8:16.12
Minnehaha Academy 8:16.19
Fridley 8:18.19
Irondale 8:18.3
Maple Grove 8:18.93
White Bear Lake 8:19.08
(50)

ALL TIME BESTS
7:41.94 Stillwater Area 1998
7:42.24 Willmar 2007
7:45.95 Mounds View 2007
7:47.58 Lakeville North 2006
7:48.38 Stillwater Area 2004
7:49.14 Mankato West 2003
7:50.77 Buffalo 2006
7:50.94 Eden Prairie 2006
7:51.05 Stillwater Area 2003
7:51.22 Alexandria 2005
(10)
7:51.50 St. Paul Central 2001
7:51.47 Rosemount 2006
7:51.74 Eden Prairie 2005
7:51.88 Willmar 2006
7:52.18 Eden Prairie 2001
7:52.31 Eden Prairie 2000
7:52.56 Eden Prairie 2003
7:52.58 Mounds View 2003
7:52.65 Rosemount 2005
7:52.68 Stillwater Area 1997
(20)
7:52.5 St Louis Park 1965 (7:55.6y)
7:53.03 Bloom Jefferson 1997
7:53.79 Lakeville South 2007
7:54.05 Lakeville 2005
7:54.09 Wayzata 2001
7:54.13 Perham 2004
7:54.26 Eden Prairie 2004
7:54.37 Alexandria 1998
7:54.52 Apple Valley 2007
7:54.71 Eastview 2007
(30)
7:54.77 Stillwater Area 1999
7:54.7 Alex Ramsey 1968 (7:57.9y)
7:55.06 Eden Prairie 1999
7:55.34 Alexandria 1997
7:55.2 Stillwater Area 1996
7:55.7 Minnetonka 1983
7:55.99 Tartan 2005
7:56.18 Rochester Mayo 2003
7:56.21 Pine Island 2007
7:56.23 Winona 2001
(40)
7:56.47 Mounds View 1999
7:56.50 Buffalo 2007
7:56.51 Hopkins 2003
7:56.64 St Michael-Albertville 2000
7:56.88 Apple Valley 2000
7:56.91 Duluth East 2002
7:56.7 Irondale 1991
7:57.08 Faribault 2000
7:56.9 Osseo 1985
7:57.40 Apple Valley 1999
(50)
7:57.51 Stillwater Area 2005
7:57.55 Rosemount 2007
7:57.4 Robb Armstrong 1991
7:57.58 Burnsville 2003
7:57.66 Eden Prairie 2002
7:57.69 Mounds View 2000
7:57.70 Minnetonka 1997
7:57.6 St Paul Cretin 1976 (8:00.8y)
7:57.89 St. Paul Arlington 2003
7:57.7 Stillwater 1978 (8:00.9y)
(60)
7:57.8 Osseo 1991
7:58.05 Mankato West 2002
7:58.06 Staples-Motley 2000
7:58.08 St Cloud Apollo 2000
7:57.9 Blaine 1980
7:58.39 Eden Prairie 1997
7:58.44 Winona 1999
7:58.76 Wayzata 2004
7:58.87 Minnetonka 2003
7:58.7 Edina 2004
(70)
7:59.02 Hopkins 2006
7:59.15 Buffalo 2005
7:59.37 Wayzata 1994
7:59.54 Osseo 1997
7:59.56 Mounds View 2002
7:59.57 Mounds View 2006
7:59.60 Eden Prairie 2007
7:59.62 Pine Island 2005
7:59.68 Robbinsdale Armstrong 2006
7:59.5 Armstrong 1984
(80)
7:59.93 Perham 2005
7:59.97 Hopkins 2005
7:59.8 White Bear Lake 1975 (8:03.0y)
8:00.20 Moorhead 2007
8:00.42 Stillwater Area 2007
8:00.2 Benilde 1975 (8:03.4y)
8:00.2 St Louis Park 1976 (8:03.4y)
8:00.2 Alex Ramsey 1978 (8:03.4y)
8:00.45 Eden Prairie 1998
8:00.48 Sartell 2000
(90)
8:00.48 St Paul Central 2000
8:00.61 Stillwater Area 2000
8:00.63 Burnsville 2004
8:00.70 Fairmont 2007
8:00.79 Sartell 1999
8:00.82 Sartell 2003
8:00.7 White Bear Lake 1969 (8:03.9y)
8:00.7 Irondale 1992
8:00.96 White Bear Lake 2004
8:00.98 Buffalo 2004
(100)

Cheever Named Big Ten Athlete of the Week

Minnesota Golden Gopher junior Jamie Cheever was named the Big Ten Conference Track Athlete of the Week after breaking the 24-year old U of M record in the mile run last weekend at Notre Dame's Meyo Invitational.

Cheever clocked a time of 4:39.54 to automatically qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships. Cheever, a Minneapolis native and graduate of Southwest High School, also anchored the Gophers’ distance medley relay which posted an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 11:09.35, the second-fastest mark in school history.

Cheever broke the school record of 4:41.12 held by Minnesota Track and Field Hall of Fame member Jodi Eder.

The award is Cheever’s first Big Ten weekly honor of her collegiate track career. Teammate Alicia Rue earned two Big Ten weekly awards earlier this season.

The Gopher women, who will host the Big Ten Indoor Championships on March 1-2, are currently ranked #8 in the nation in NCAA Division I.

Paske to Read from Breaking Stride Saturday

Stephen Paske, whom faithful DtB readers will remember as the author of the two-part article about Minnesota's high school distance running renaissance -- found HERE and HERE -- will read from his 2006 novel Breaking Stride at the Maple Grove Library at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday.

Breaking Stride is a short, dramatic tale about high school distance running set in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. The story follows two runners: Rod Dillery, who gave up a state title when he stopped late in the race to aid a fallen competitor, and Jeremy Sylas, who will learn his coach's secret if he wins state.

True to the book's breathless style, Paske's narrator depicts a summer night, training run encounter between two rivals with the following:

"Their eyes dueled. Searing with hatred, their retinas boiled from the whites. Obsessed with victory, each combatant sized up his opponent, supremely confident in his own superiority. Both runners accelerated recklessly. Neither was intimidated. I was the only one who was scared."

Paske, a former Osseo High School and Marquette University distance runner, currently resides in the Milwaukee area. More information on Breaking Stride and Paske's newest book, The Immortal, can be found HERE.