True Team State - In Their Own Words

Class AAA Boys

Section 1 Champion - Lakeville South High School

"The Lakeville South boys are attending their 5^th State True Team meet in a row.  They have won the Section 1AAA title since 2015. The 2018 team graduated several key members in the sprints and the middle distance and a strong senior class.  Those spots needed to be filled this year by new members and younger athletes.  Early in the season the team was looking very young and rough. As we approached the Section meet events started to come together.  Winning the True Team Section is the foundation of the program." - Head Coach Jonathan Gilmer

"True Team for Rosemount track and field is everything. We have built our program around the philosophy of competing as a team and we actively pursue True Team development every day. The focus on True Team development forces us to work to develop so many more athletes than we may otherwise do. It takes a great deal of time and energy, but the payoff is immeasurable. We believe track and field is more fun when you're competing as a team, with your friends. There is nothing more exciting in our sport and in this state than the State True Team meet on Friday night in Stillwater. Some years are better than others and the experiences are always different, but moving into the late stages of the meet with a chance to win is pure excitement for kids. The meet provides the types of lifelong memories that coaches strive to give their athletes. Each year, we see leaders emerge and take ownership of the team as we head into this meet. Youngsters rise to the occasion and come of age at this meet every year. It all happens because it matters to 45 other kids and not just yourself. High school athletes are at their best when it matters to the team. There is no place to lay down and hide when others are counting on you. Our culture is one of kids competing hard and coming up big for their team. Naturally, True Team fits this philosophy and cultural aspiration. Often in this sport it becomes tempting to save or rest athletes for something later and presumably bigger. We do not do this. We build our schedule early in the season to keep things light enough to allow us to give 100% effort from the True Team meets into South Suburban Conference competition, and ultimately sections and State. We have found that high-end kids want to compete whenever and wherever and we allow them to do this. Right or wrong, we try not to leave anything left on the table at the end of the season. We are excited about this year's challenges and are ready to compete against the state's best teams, athletes and coaches. " Head Coach Jay Hatleli

"True Team State was an important accomplishment this year because when we got there in the past we had great senior leadership and exceptional athletes my freshman and sophomore years. So getting there this year gives our team the validation of a great Elk River Track Team. It means a lot because it shows our team has depth and teamwork which is something I value although track is mostly an individual sport, True Team highlights the team component. Our team looks forward to the challenge state will bring and to see our times drop and distances improve as a result." - Captain Kevin Egbujor

We would like to thank the True Team Committee and founders of the True Team concept for their hard work, commitment and dedication in making the True Team State Meet what it is today, which is nothing short of excellence.  From a coaching perspective, this has changed our mindset in how we value depth in each event and have a greater appreciation for one another's event areas. We are here today because of our senior leadership with a blend of upcoming talent who were patient and willing to learn from our upperclassmen and coaching staff.  For many individuals on our team this is the only state experience they may have in their high school career, so we are thankful for the opportunity. We would also like to thank the teams in our True Team section, conference, and section who push us to be our best year in and year out. - Head Coach Brian Gilbertson

"Our team earned a wildcard spot in the True Team Section meet, and we couldn't be more excited to compete. Our team has put in plenty of work to reach this meet. Our coaches have encouraged all of us to remain active in the offseason, pushing each athlete to run and get in the weight room if they weren't a part of a winter sport. From the beginning of the season, the coaches have challenged us to hold each other accountable and push one another to reach our peak potential. This mentality has proved to be extremely beneficial to our athletes, with many of us posting PRs in each meet along the way. Our team chemistry has been fantastic this year as well. All groups of the team have been closer than any other year I've been on it, which has boosted the attitude and confidence of everyone on the squad. I believe that if my teammates and I compete in our events the way we know we can, then the team score will speak for itself in the end." - Conor McManamon

"The Cambridge-Isanti Boys track team finished 2nd in the tough 5AAA section to Blaine and then qualified as a wildcard team for this Friday's upcoming state AAA meet. The Bluejackets come into the State Meet with a deep and strong field event crew, scoring more events in the wild card meet than any other wild card candidate. The senior-laden squad comes in led by all-state shot and discus thrower Blaze Krueger and 2018 state participant Ryley Nelson. While the Bluejackets don't boast any "stars" in any of the other field events, their depth in the field events sets them apart with their 3rd vaulter having cleared 13 feet, their third high jumper having cleared 6' 2 and in the long and triple having a 3 rd long jumper over 20 feet and their triple jumper having jumper 41'. "Honestly, it's what we stress and our True Team section year in and year out has great field event people due to the excellent coaching in section 5AAA," stated Coach Kent D. Viesselman, "we know you have to be solid in the field if you are going to contend in 5AAA." The Bluejackets also boast a solid short sprints crew, led by senior Dylan Jones(11.24 in 100 and 22.45 in 200) and sophomore Gaven Ziebarth(11.13 in the 100 and 23.20 in the 200). In the hurdles the Bluejackets will ride seniors Levi Wilson(15.38 in 110s and 41.65 in 300s) and Jack Hennen (15.77 in the 110s and 42.2 in the 300's). In the long sprints/middle distance, senior Dylan Larson is a name to watch. While not as deep on the track as last year the Bluejackets hope to have a strong showing. "We are excited to be able to participate and humbled to represent our school and our section at the meet," stated Viesselman

"As Mounds View boys track and field approaches the True Team State meet, we are excited and hungry to perform alongside the best of the best. We have been working hard for this meet all winter and all spring, and we can't wait to see our hard work pay off. At the beginning of this spring we had some noticeable holes in our team that we have started to fill, but we always have more room to grow. We have a strong core group of seniors that always shows up for big performances, but we are seeing a new younger class of talent emerge as the season continues. Throughout this spring we have become closer as a team, and things are seeming to come together at the right time. We have caught glimpses of this team chemistry at the Stillwater Pony Relays and True Team Section 6AA meet, and we know that our team's family atmosphere will lead us to success in the future and a strong showing at the most important meet of the year. When it comes to the True Team season, Coach Fleming always tells us to treat it like business. True Team Section was a perfect example of this. We felt very confident going in, and ready to protect our home track in order to earn a trip to True Team State. However, we know we can never take this trip for granted. No matter the projections or seedings, we have learned to approach every meet, every race, and every attempt with laser-like focus. We will continue this into the 2019 True Team State meet. Last year, with a 2nd place finish to Wayzata, we were content, but not ecstatic. The 2018 seniors had high goals and were respected across the team, as well as the school. In qualifying for the biggest meet of the year, we hope to honor those proud alumni. In terms of place this year, we hope for a podium finish, but the True Team meet never fails to bring unexpected results. That being said, we will not settle for less than our best. We know our competition fairly well, and we have already seen Hopkins and Wayzata multiple times this year. We know that when we compete against all eleven teams on Friday, anything can happen, but we hope to leave the track on top." - Captains Austin Streit & Lukas Hessini

"The secret to our success is found in our trademark 4x4 chant. The chant is known as "the whoop," and it's extremely iconic. Some teams clap, yell, and scream, but at Wayzata we whoop. Teammates that have been exposed to the whoop been reported to experience superhuman abilities, and for that reason it's been a part of the team's culture for longer than most of us have been alive. We can't always prepare for what's going to happen during a meet, but one thing is for sure, we will be whooping." - Captain Ben Hidani

"For the Alexandria boys, we have been watching this team gain momentum for years and this year, with an powerful sprint squad, we were able to secure a True Team Section Championship, which was the first time since 2002! This was a hard-fought and well deserved victory for these hard working boys.  The boys' culture is one where they push each other daily, have a tremendous work ethic, encourage and support each other, and genuinely have a lot of fun. They are a joy to coach on a daily basis, even amidst spring blizzards and the predictably unpredictable MN weather." - Head Coach Mike Empting