West Central Area's Ryley Nelson's valiant effort at last falls XC Championships didn't result with a win, but it did result with his favorite running memory. But the real question is, "How often does he shave?"
You ready for the all-encompassing preview for the Hamline Elite Meet?? Here it is!
Junior Carson Speicher didn't last a week in football in 5th grade, but he's lasted a strong six-plus years as a Perham XC runner, and has helped keep alive the Class A dominance Perham has seen since 2002.
Hopkins senior Bit Klecker comes from a legendary family of runners, and has drawn immense inspiration from their success to become a formidable athlete herself (plus a little inspiration from her hair).
Pierz junior Beth-el Algarin is a very good thrower. One of the best in the state. But for her age group, she has proven time and again that she is also one of the best power lifters in the world.
Joe Romaine of Woodbury has seen a lot of success, but never meeting his own expectations for himself. But this year, with a new coach and new determination, he's feeling confident he will.
Jack Korte of Henry Sibley has been running since 8th grade, but it wasn't his main sport until this year. And with an new focus, this thrift-shopping senior is off to a hot start, and primed to reach lofty goals.
This Friday, all of Minnesota's top performers will receive their one chance to compete against each other, regardless of class, qualifying standards, or make-or-break races. And it will be streamed live in Milesplit.
Senior Syri Williams of Alexandria isn't joking around when it comes to meeting goals or leaving it all out (and even a bit more than that) on the track, but that doesn't stop her from laughing at all other times.
Jake Kubiatowicz of North St. Paul has his sights set on all-time records in the shot and discus. But even if he breaks them, he still wouldn't throw the discus as far in feet as he used to recite pi...
Senior Ricardo Twinawe is a triple jumper from Woodbury High School, so you know he must be good. And with a career best of nearly 45 feet, he has champion-sized goals both this year and beyond.
Mariah Schoeder, already a great basketball and volleyball player for Caledonia, did track for the first time last fall as a junior, and ended up earning All State honors in two events.
Christian Leonard went from 8th-to-2nd in the last 200 meters when he qualified for State in the mile as a sophomore, and the Elk River senior still has a lot of kicking left to do.
Lucas Mueller went from being hardly able to stand to finishing 8th at last fall's Class A XC Meet in a span of three weeks. And the Nova Classical Academy senior has a work ethic to match his toughness.
Minneapolis South senior Malachi Lossow achieved All-State honors in both the 100 and the 200 last year, and he lists among the contributions to his success his four sprint coaches and a pink plastic fish.
Jordan junior Owen Keiser suffered an ill-timed stress fracture just before Sections last track season, killing his All-State dreams that year. But as he proved last fall in XC, he's back and stronger than ever.
Ely's Josh Heiman was a mere 8th-grader the first time he competed at State in the triple jump. Now a senior, the All-State football and track star is one of the premier jumpers in the state.
Eric Rousemiller is off to a great start this season as he already possesses a nearly-62 foot throw, but the Lakeville South senior also has received rave reviews for both his football skills and dancing ability.
Springfield senior Vishe Rabb isn't exactly the biggest fan of the 400 meter dash, but that didn't stop her from being the Class A runner-up in the 400 last spring.
Hurdling was in Luke Heitman's blood, as his dad was the former school record holder at Borup High school (before they were Ada-Borup), which he aims to break this year. That, along with winning State too...
Few of Minnesota's top runners have come as far as Wayzata senior Jeremy Gilbertson, who was a thrower in middle school before joining the distance team to get in shape for hockey.
Hills-Beaver Creek senior and triple-sport star Zach Scholten is a rare breed of track athlete, as both an All-State jumper and successful thrower. He aims for his third State appearance for high jump in 2017.
Matt Wilkinson started his cross country career as a freshman by accidentally doing a hill workout with Minnestonka's Varsity squad, but everything ended up working out just fine for the now-All-State senior.
Senior Tate Sweeney, yet another superb talent from Edina High School, is the 2016 Class AA runner up in the 800 meters and made history with her 4x800 teammates last year as well.
Rochester Century senior Katie Eidem can both jump and run with the best in the State, but if her seven-inch improvement in the high jump last year was any indication, she might just be scratching the surface.
Reigning Class AA high jump champion Anthony Fleischfresser, a senior from Spring Lake Park, has his eyes set on the oldest record in the book this spring, and he might just be determined enough to do it.
Watch every race from the Irondale Knights Under The Lights Invitational on April 7th!