Joe Fahnbulleh, Hopkins High School Class of 2019
Personal Records:
100m - 10.70
200m - 21.35
400m - 51.19
110H - 15.69
5K (xc) - 20:43.33
High Jump - 6-0
Triple Jump - 43-5.75
MSHSL State Participation:
2018 - Champion 200m, Champion 4x200, 2nd Place 4x100
2017 - 2nd Place 4x200, 7th Place 4x100, 8th Place 100m
Where were you born and what is your history in athletics?
I was born in Minneapolis, MN; and I first played all sports in my neighborhood, including football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. My first organized sport was cross country running which I began as a 7th grader. I also played basketball that year and continued doing that in the spring.
In 8th grade I continued to participate in cross country and basketball. I added track & field in the spring. Since I was only 5'8" in 9th grade I was not able to make the freshman basketball team at Hopkins. I do continue to play that sport through what is known as the Southwest League. The Southwest League is recreation level basketball for the greater twin cities area.
So my current sports are cross country and track & field, but I am an avid basketball player as well. I am now 6'1" 185,' and believe I am still growing since I have some tall relatives.
Who are your coaches?
Nick Lovas is the head coach for track at our school and he was my main sprint coach last year. He continues to coach me and knows about all the events. He is like a father figure and teaches me about life thru sports. Nick is our main horizontal jumps coach, and treats us like family. He is an excellent speaker in front of large groups.
Matt Fisher is our high jump coach and had college experience in that event. He is able to be specific in what he wants us to do.
Austin Salargo is my best friend among the coaches as he is young and knows what I am going through. We discuss goals and he is a role model for me because he is still the current record holder at Hopkins in the 400 with a time of 47.82!
Craig Telshaw is the head sprints coach and is a walking library. I can sit with him for 2 hours and talk about the mechanics of sprinting!
What is a challenge you have had to face as an athlete?
I have never had an injury that was serious enough to keep me from running. So I have to say that constantly being behind Eden Prairie's Denzel Brown last year was difficult for me. However it also made me faster to have to race him and compare myself to him so often.
Who is are your most difficult competitors?
My main one is myself! Ethan Peal, St. Michael-Albertville, has helped me a great deal by racing me not only in the spring, but in the winter and summer too. We do not train together but just knowing we will always be there as competitors is making us both faster.
Who are some teammates you can rely on this season?
My best friend on the team is Eli Hoeft who is an 800/1600/3200 runner. He is my training partner and my main competitor on the team. He helps me with my endurance and I help him with speed. We do all kinds of workouts together including weight training and sprints. Jaylen Champion and Sam Leervig who are mainly in the sprinting events and relays are also inspirational and motivators for me. All four of us are juniors! Our captains this year are Hoeft, Leervig, pole vaulter Ben Katona, distance runner Jesper Hoffman and myself.
Why does Hopkins choose to call themselves Track Town Minnesota?
I cannot speak for Head Coach Nick Lovas about what he means by that term. However it is not that we consider ourselves head and shoulders above every other program in the state. What it means is no matter whether we win or lose our passion and our spirit will show through. Our effort will always be our best regardless of the event.
Who cheers for you at meets?
My mom, Charlotte Graham is my biggest fan and is at every meet. God is always watching me too. Philippians 4:13 is the verse I rely on when I compete: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
How will you choose which events to run this year and in the future? Your high jump and triple jump marks do not seem in line with your outstanding sprinting capabilities.
I have not done those events recently. I did do 44'7" in the triple jump in practice this year. I have never done the long jump. My team needs me in the 100, 200, and relays. In Minnesota the rules say that you cannot do more than a combination of three running events and one field event. (You can do a combination of those but never more than three running events.) It just makes sense for me to concentrate on running events for our team results.
Why do you continue to run cross country?
Coach Ronni Hamilton has been training me for all types of running since the 7th grade. Distance running improves and maintains my mental aspects for track. It's the only way I have gotten through my seasons efficiently and without injury.
Do you train the same way as all of the other runners on the cross country teams?
I did in grades 7-9. In 10th grade the coaches realized that they had to alter the anaerobic speed workout days to fit my muscle fibers. Instead of long repeats I would do shorter stuff similar to what I would do during track season.
Technical Tips on Sprinting from Joe Fahnbulleh:
1. Stay calm.
2. Do not lean too much.
3. Make sure the arms are controlled and at 90 degrees.
4. High knees, fast turn-over
5. Power can compensate for slower turnover. I need to work on turnover.
6. Ball of foot landing is important but turnover is essential.
How are you feeling about your racing and training?
I feel confident because I have been training before the season, and I'm trusting in God and the process.
What are your plans for after high school?
I do want to attend a Division 1 college if possible, but they must have the areas of education I need as well. I intend to major in Graphic Design and minor in Business.
