Amanda Smock Looks Back at London 2012

Video interview with Amanda Smock by fellow Olympian Jamie Nieto is HERE.

Hamline names Adam Frye co-head cross country coach

By Dave Wright, Hamline Sports Information

It's not a changing of the guard for cross country. But it can be considered a first step in the process. Adam Frye, who is in his second tour of duty at the school, will serve as co-head coach for men's and women's cross country for the Pipers in 2013. Frye will join with veteran coach Paul Schmaedeke in handling the Piper running fortunes this fall.

Schmaedeke, who is the head coach for men's track and field team and also serves as the school's director of track and field operations and is a member of the school's athletic Hall of Fame, has been involved in Piper cross country activities for more than three decades.

"Adam is a bright guy who is ready to move up and assume more responsibility," Schmaedeke said. "He deserves this opportunity and I look forward to working with him."

A Chatfield, Minn. native, Frye ran both cross country and track and field for Luther College. He was a co-captain for the Norse team that finished sixth at the NCAA Division III CC meet. He also co-captained the track team in 2007, his senior season there.

"I am honored and excited by this new role," Frye said.  "I thank Jason (Verdugo, HU athletic director) and Paul for this tremendous opportunity. It's been a delight working with the terrific student-athletes and coaching staff here and I look forward to more great seasons ahead."

A Physical Education major, Frye coached at Hamline from 2007-09. During that period, he earned a master's in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He then returned to his alma mater for three seasons as an assistant coach/recruiter before rejoining HU last season. In addition to his CC duties, Frye, who was a steeplechase competitor for the Norse, will work with the Piper distance runners in track and field.

Hamline, which has won three of the last four MIAC men's cross country crowns, training camp for both teams later this month. Frye's first meet as co-head coach will be held on very familiar footing. The Piper runners' first meet is Saturday, September 14 at Luther.

Kim Jones: Twin Cities Memories, Part II

In Dandelion Growing Wild excerpt Part II, Kim Jones writes about the build up and early portions of the 1986 Twin Cities Marathon, which was also the US Championship that year, HERE.

Darren Schneider Named New Track and Field Coach at MSU Moorhead

By Tom Berg, MSUM Assistant AD for Media Relations

Minnesota State University Moorhead athletic director Doug Peters announced that Darren Schneider has been named as the new MSUM head track and field coach. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Schneider has spent the last three seasons as the head men's track and field coach at Texas A&M-Commerce in Commerce, Texas.

"I feel like Dragon Athletics won as a team in this process," said Peters.  "Everyone from former coaches and current coaches, male and female alumni from across the decades, current student-athletes, and faculty and staff were involved in the selection of Coach Schneider worked together to hire the best coach for MSUM."

In 2013, under Schneider's direction, Texas A&M-Commerce had a solid season, finishing fifth in the Lone Star Conference and had one national qualifier. The team had eight individuals earned all-region honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The team had 102 top-five finishes and 20 first-place showings during the season.

Prior to arriving at TAMCC in 2011, Schneider was the head men's track and field coach at Division III University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for 10 years. During that time, he was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year twice (2002 and 2007) and coached nine individuals who won Division III national champions. During his time at UW-Whitewater, 93 individuals who earned All-American honors.

Schneider also was the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1996-1999. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Truman State in 1989, and also earned a master's degree from the United States Sports Academy in 1997.

"As a track and field alum and former Captain/MVP and Alumni Foundation Board member,  I am very pleased to see that MSUM has selected Darren Schneider as our next head coach for track and field and cross country," said Greg Staszko.  "MSUM has a storied history in Track & Field/CC since the early 1970s and with Darren's leadership I am very confident this success will continue."

For the Athletes

Track & Field is a sport of rules and records.  One facilitates the other.  As an athlete you get noticed often because you've either broken a rule or a record.  Middle distance runner Shannon Rowbury is a champion.  She's won NCAA, USATF, and Olympic Trials championships in her event the 1500 meters as well as a World Championships bronze medal.

She's running this year's IAAF World Championships in the 5000 meters, however, in part due to the USATF rules for team qualifying and how they were handled.  The IAAF sets the rules for entry into its championships for each country's teams.  Each country is allowed to enter three athletes, but two must have met the A standard for qualifying to compete in that event.  One is allowed to be on the team with the B standard. This year they had to have met that standard by July 29.

The US system is to conduct a trials where the top three finishers in each event makes the team, as long as they have met the appropriate qualifying standard.  This year Rowbury just missed a top three qualifying spot at the US trials in the 1500, but did make the team at 5K.  She had mixed emotions about her situation as the she considers the 1500 her event, but was contemplating a move up to the 5000 in the future.

The US is a dominant force in the 1500, featuring diverse talents such as defending  World Champion Jenny Simpson and high school phenom Mary Cain, both members of this year's team.  Rowbury, Team USA Minnesota's Gabriele Anderson, Medtronic TC Mile champ Sarah Brown, and 2013 US trials champion Treniere Moser have all been part of that resurgence in US female middle distance running from a time when then Team USA member Carrie Tollefson was the only 1500 runner representing the US in the event at the 2004 Olympics.

At this year's July 19 IAAF Diamond League Monaco meet the US, led by Simpson, who won the race, swept four of the top five places, all running season bests, two of them personal bests.  Rowbury, who didn't have a 1500 A standard until the race got one by running 4:01.28.  Having finished fourth in the US trials and making the A standard, Rowbury, like Team USA Minnesota's Jamie Cheever, who had her A standard qualifier going into the US trials, was the logical choice as the alternate for the US team.  In other words, if one of the runners ahead of her could not compete in Moscow, the Rowbury and Cheever, the alternates get that spot.

One problem with this scenario, the rules.  The rules state that it is the athlete's responsibility to inform USATF if they get the qualifying standard prior to the US deadline of July 20.  The US had until July 29 to give IAAF its full entry list, including alternates, for the World Championships.  But neither Rowbury, her coach, or her agent were aware that they had to inform USATF of her A standard qualifer.  Rowbury had told USATF that she was interested in being considered for the team in the 1500 if she got an A standard after the Trials.

Apparently nobody at USATF connected the dots after the Monaco meet and saw that Rowbury was next in line for the 1500 when Moser was forced to withdraw from the championships because of an injury.  Thus when Moser withdrew Medtronic TC Mile champ Sarah Brown was the name on the list as the alternate in the 1500 and was offered the spot.   Brown was able to switch her plans from running the Falmouth Mile to get a visa and get to Moscow in time for the qualifying heats in the 1500, and Rowbury learned about all this via social media.

She was "disappointed," but also was concentrating on going for a medal in the 5000.  Would she have taken the spot if it was available, Rowbury said she didn't know because she didn't have the option.  She didn't want to distract herself for preparing the best she could for the 5000. The lesson in all this?  Groups, such as USATF and the USOC, that make the rules for athletes to participate in World Championship and Olympics always say that they are there "for the athletes."  They exist to make sure the athletes have what they need to best represent their country at those events. But this process involves human beings who may let things slip "between the cracks."  Nothing malicious intended, often just an oversight.

Fortunately nobody is playing "the blame game" in this situation.  Rowbury's disappointment at not having a choice in the 1500 is overridden by her desire to get a medal in the 5000.  USATF has the rules on their side.  Rules that can be the difference between order and chaos in the often complicated process of selecting a team and getting everybody where they need to be for the competition.  But these rules, like all things, have room for improvement, alteration if necessary.

Amanda Smock, who was one of three US triple jumpers attempting to qualify for Moscow, said after the July 20 deadline had passed that she wished the US rule had extended the qualifying deadline up to the July 29 IAAF declaration date as some other countries had done.  She had been injured mid season and was scrambling to try and get a qualifying standard in the triple jump.  She had a near miss foul jump in her last competition and for her the extra days might have made a difference.  As it turned out the US sent no female triple jumpers to Moscow as none had an A or B standard jump. Why?

One reason is the ethos of championship events has shifted away from participation toward selling the top level of elite sport.  Gone is the old Olympic motto of founder Pierre de Coubertin that victory is not in winning, but in taking part.  So sending people to Olympics or World Championships for them to "get experience" or to participate is often seen as wasting resources instead of building for the future.

Even in high school, with budget cuts and money tight, sports and the arts get marginalized within the school curriculum.  Coaches were talking at this year's state meet that one impact of the great distance races with a lot of kids running fast is that the qualifying times for events, such as the 3200, has continued to get faster.  So, if one section is loaded with talent, they have to run very fast just to get to the state meet.  Again, the elite end of the sport trumps participation.

Sport is supposed to be for all the athletes, not just the very best.  The rules should enable all athletes, not restrict them.
Rowbury post-5K heat interview with FloTrack is HERE.

Willis Last Qualifier for 1500 Semis

Medtronic TC Mile champ Nick Willis was the final qualifier for the 1500 semis as he finished ninth in the first heat in 3:39.83.  He had the 21st fastest time in the three heats, but three of those times were run by automatic qualifiers who finished in the top five of their heat.  You can read about Willis' reaction to his run HERE.  Full results for the 1500 are HERE.

Catching Up on Europe

Heather Kampf reviews her European Tour in her blog HERE.

Jamie Cheever gives you a photo tour of Belgium HERE.

Elizabeth Yetzer on her post-racing tour of Italy with friends is HERE.

Kim Jones: Twin Cities Memories

Kim Jones has many fond memories of the Twin Cities Marathon.  She won the US Championships here in 1986 and ran her second marathon at Twin Cities the year before.  Twin Cities in Motion is featuring excerpts from Kim's book Dandilion Growing Wild on their website HERE. The portion of the book dealing with 1985 is up now.  The story of the 1986 race will be posted later.

Brown Tenth in 1500 Semi: Willis prepares for Men's 1500

Medtronic TC Mile women's winner Sarah Brown's quick trip to Moscow ended in the semis of the 1500 as she finished tenth in 4:12.16.  "You know, that  was interesting with a lot of jockeying, repositioning, a lot of running in lane 2, lane 3, said Brown. " I just didn't have the pop. I'm just so grateful to be here and have this opportunity. I mean that was an awful race for me, but it wasn't like I wasn't trying. I was trying my hardest and it just wasn't there today."

Meanwhile men's TC Mile winner Nick Willis steps on the track on Wednesday in the first heat of the 1500.  An article on prep for Worlds is HERE and HERE.

Five to be Inducted into Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame September 1

This year's "class" of the Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame will be inducted Sunday, September 1, 2013,  at a ceremony  at the Maple Grove Community Center.  Elite athletes Adam Steele, Carrie Tollefson, and Heather Norman; coach Scott Christensen, and Masters Athlete Carter Holmes are this year's MHOF recipients.

The celebration begins at 5 PM with a social hour, followed by the buffet dinner at 5:45, and at 6:30 the introductions and presentation of awards.  Those who want to attend the induction and buffet dinner(cost $19 per person) can contact Tim Zbikowski at timzib@cpinternet.com.

Services Set for Phillip LaVallee

Details on the funeral arrangements for runner Phillip LaVallee are HERE.

Schoffman, Lloyd Are USATF Athletes of the Month for July

The Minnesota Association of USA Track & Field selected  Masters athletes Jim Schoffman and Susan Lloyd as USATF Minnesota’s Athletes of the Month for July 2013.

Schoffman, 60, of Fridley, finished third in both the 400m and 800m events for men 60 and over at the USA Track & Field Masters’ Championships in Olathe, Kansas the weekend of July 11-14. He also placed fourth in both the 100m and 200m events. His times in the 100m (13.45), 200m (27.01) and 400m (60.01) were all under the standing Minnesota M60 age group records.

Lloyd, 55, of Edina, placed third in the 100m (15.76), 200m (32.60) and 400m (73.37) events for women 55 and over at the USA Track & Field Masters’ Championship meet. She also placed fourth in the shot put (6.66m/21'10").

Two-Time Olympian Todd Williams Talks Safety at Marathon Sports

Two-time Olympian Todd Williams talks about safety Monday evening 6 to 7:30 PM at Marathon Sports in Minneapolis(2312 West 50th. Tickets $25.  Contact John Long 612 920-2605.

Gene Niemi's MDRA 15K Photo Album

Mike Reneau(874) leads the pack early in the race.
Photo by Gene Niemi

Dan Greeno(774), Mike Reneau(874), and Joe Moore(39)
Photo by Gene Niemi

Meghan Peyton(851) and Kelly Brinkman(722)
Photo by Gene Niemi

Stephanie Price Photo by Gene Niemi

Masters competitor Doug Keller grabs a drink
Photo by Gene Niemi

Moore and Brinkman win Mens' and Womens' MDRA 15K Titles

Joe Moore. Photo by Gene Niemi

Twin Cities Track Club's Joe Moore won the men's title and Minnesota RED's Kelly Brinkman the woman's at the MDRA 15K.  Moore ran 47:06.  Brinkman was timed in 52:15.  Full results are HERE. TCTC's Mike Reneau was second in the men's race in 47:15, with Run N Fun's Dan Greeno third in 47:20.

Team USA Minnesota's Meghan Peyton was second in the women's race in 53:02, and TCTC's Stephanie Price finished third in 54:28

Kelly Brinkman Photo by Gene Niemi

Brown Qualifies in 1500

Medtronic TC Mile Champ Sarah Brown probably feels like she's run a marathon to move on to the semi-finals of the 1500.  Called on at the last minute after Treniere Moser withdrew with an injury from the US team, Brown's rush to Moscow paid off as she finished eighth in the final heat in 4:09 to move on to the next round. TC Mile runner-up Nicole Sifuentes of Canada also qualified for the semis.

In the women's discus finals, US champ Gia Lewis-Smallwood finished fifth with a throw of 210'7"/64.23m.“Wow, it was so eye opening," she said. "You plan for these things, but it is sort of like planning for something that you don't really understand. Then when you are in it, it is amazing. I actually had to make my third throw to even get in the finals. And I did. My fourth throw, I just really went for it. It was awesome, I'm very pleased. This is huge. The only thing I can think about is how much I want to train. I don't want to take any time off, I just want to train and get better. That is the only thing I am thinking about. I just want to train. It was a huge motivator. Let's go.“

Discus results are HERE. 1500 heats results are HERE. Can you say Lightening Bolt? Photo HERE.

Girls Class AA Pre-Season XC Rankings

   

Individuals

   1        Clare Flanagan, 12, The Blake School

   2        Anna French, 11, Wayzata 

   3        Bethany Hasz, 10, Alexandria     

   4        Jenna  Truedson, 11, Bemidji   

   5        Megan Hasz, 10, Alexandria 

   6        Bethany Kosak, 12, White Bear Lake  

   7        Mariah Betzler, 12, Monticello 

   8        Anna Maurer, 12, Hill-Murray

   9        Kaytlyn Larson, 11, Lakeville South 

   10      Amber Seidenkranz, 12, Monticello 

   11       Emily Betz, 11, East Ridge

   12       Rachel King, 11, St Michael Albertville

        Teams 

               1. Wayzata

               2. Forest Lake

3             3. Edina

               4. Eagan

               5. East Ridge

6             6. Lakeville South

7             7. Chanhassen

8             8. Willmar

9             9. Monticello

               10. Moorhead

1             11. Eden Prairie

.              12. Alexandria

 Wayzata – Defending state champs return top nine runners from squad that took 7^th at NXN national meet.  Led by 2012 2^nd place finisher Anna French.

2.            Forest Lake – Incredibly young squad looks to take last year’s 4^th place finish to the podium.  Led by all-state freshman Allison Bartlett.

3.            Edina – Last year’s 8^th grade class one of the best in the state.  Should fill in nicely from senior departures.  Led by all-state junior Shannon Spalding.

4.            Eagan – Last year’s 2^nd place finisher’s and Nike team qualifiers take a big hit losing Danielle Anderson, but still have enough to be there at the end of the year.

5.            East Ridge – Emily Betz, junior looking to improve on her 13^th place finish from 2012, leads an East Ridge squad that has become one of the best girls programs in the state.

6.            Lakeville South – Another perennial state power, Lakeville South returns all seven runners from a somewhat disappointing 6^th place finish a year ago.  Junior Kaytlyn Larson, 11^th a year ago leads a squad that could do serious damage at the end of the year.

7.            Chanhassen – Chanhassen begins the pre-season in the seventh spot on the strength of their top three runners which include ninth grader Anastasia Korzenowski, who finished 15^th in last year’s state meet.

8.            Willmar – Like Forest Lake, this sleeper team return five 8^th graders, from last year’s 10^th place team. 

9.            Monticello – 2011 state champions still have enough in the tank to make a run.  Led by seniors Maria Betzler and Amber Seidenkranz, top 12 individual pre-season picks, Monticello will battle Willmar, Moorhead and dark-horse Alexandria in tough section 8AA.

1            Moorhead – One of the most consistent programs in the state return six from last year’s 7^th place squad.

             Eden Prairie – Has enough to be a top ten program, but do they have enough to get out of section 6AA?

1           Alexandria – Don’t count out Alexandria with Megan and Bethany Hasz leading the way.  The sophomore twins begin the season ranked 3^rd and 5^th in the state.

Blankenship, Leer One/Two in Men's Race; Kampf Second in Women's in Falmouth Mile

Ben Blankenship won in 3:56.27 and Will Leer was second in 3:56.45 in the men's race of the Falmouth Mile.  Elliott Heath was fifth in 3:57.91, and Garrett Heath finished eighth in 3:58.29.  All ten finishers broke four minutes. Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf finished second in the women's race in 4:42.9. Katie Mackey won in 4:41.4.  Full official results aren't posted yet, but some have been posted on Twitter.  Men's are HERE. Women's are HERE.  Results are now official HERE.

You can read more about yesterday's Liberty Mile in Pittsburgh HERE.

Podominick Does Not Qualify for Discus Finals, Faber 23rd in Women's Marathon at IAAF World Championships

As the IAAF World Championships opened in Moscow, Liz Podominick finished tenth in the first wave in the women's discus with a toss of  185' 1"/56.41m and did not qualify for the final.  Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon champ Jeannette Farber finished 23rd in the women's marathon in 2:44:03. Podominick was the second US finisher in the disc, as only Gia Lewis-Smallwood made the final among the US throwers with a 201'1"/61.30m toss in the second flight. Faber was the third US finisher in the marathon as teammate Deena Kastor placed ninth in 2:36:12.  Marathon results are HERE. Discus HERE.

“It happened really fast. I felt physically and mentally I was ready," Podominick said.  "Just the throw didn't come, and I couldn't save the throw that was there. But it was a great experience and makes me realize that I'm ready for this and there's more to come.”

“I’m happy its over," said Farber of the hot, humid conditions.  "I went in just adjusting all expectations and just trying to place as well as possible. It was just tough to do that. The second half hurt a lot worse than I even anticipated, and I feel I saw more women drop out ahead of me than I actually passed. In the end, I’m happy with my place"

Kampf Wins Liberty Mile, Continues Victory Streak

Team USA Minnesota's Heather Kampf won the Liberty Mile in Pittsburgh on Friday in 4:32 to continue her streak of Summer wins. Results are HERE.  Tomorrow she'll do a weekend double with a run at the mile title in the Falmouth Mile on the Falmouth High School track in Massachusetts.

Medtronic TC Mile third-place finisher Macklin Chaffee won the men's pro race in Pittsburgh in 4:00.49.   Results are HERE.