As we look at the top returners in Class AA, lots of familiar names rise to the top. Two of the three sprint race state champions graduated last year, leaving room for the crowning of a new champion. Evan McClellon (Robbinsdale Armstrong) and Akeem Sirleaf (North St. Paul) rise to the top of both the 100 and 200 with Sirleaf looking for a chance to repeat as state champ in the 200. The race at state in the 400 was more heavily dominated by seniors - Jakobi Jackson (St. Paul Central) is the only returner who placed in the finals last year; Leron Norton (Eastview) is not far behind based on best time, both running sub 50 second races last season.
Both hurdle races saw very few seniors in the state finals, giving both Matt Baker (Mounds View) and Clayton Johnson (Hastings) a good chance to repeat as state champs in the 110/300 hurdles respectively. Arik Steele (North Branch), Isaiah Weston (St. Michael-Albertville) and Matt Bye (Moorhead) also bring state meet experience to the 110 high ...
