Hello! This is new Milesplit Minnesota State Editor Ryan Kotajarvi.
I just wanted to introduce myself to you and say how excited I am to be serving our great running community in our great state. Just wanted to provide a little background about myself!
I ran in high school at Rochester's Century High School. I ran four years of track, two years of cross country and did two years of Nordic skiing. My 5k PR was 18:38 and my main event for track was the 800 with a PR of 2:21. I was a pretty average runner, but I thoroughly enjoyed running and am still friends with many of the guys that I ran with. I graduated high school in 2013 and went to the University of Wisconsin- Platteville. I didn't run there, but coincidentally my high school Coach Paul Callahan was from Platteville and ran for the University. After graduating with a degree in Media Studies I worked in sports via freelance photography or internships for many years. One of the places I freelanced with was Milesplit in Minnesota and Utah! I an now back in the great state of Minnesota now ready to share some amazing stories about our great history and our many amazing athletes!
If you have any story ideas, fun photos or videos that you want to share, please let me know! Otherwise I look forward to seeing everyone at futures track and cross country meets. Don't be a stranger if you want/need anything or if you just want to say hello!
P.S. The photo above is of me doing a chocolate milk mile a few years ago with some guys I ran with during high school (Seth Massot and Daniel Wiedler) Have any current or former runners done anything like it?