Trooper runners qualify for state
Trooper runners qualify for state
By STU MERRY
What a way to close out the regular season – finishing third in the region in the boys’ division – and with only seven team members. What’s just as nice is to have a boys’ relay team and a girls’ runner, Brittney Klein, qualify for state at regionals. The new members join Jon Price who had qualified for state earlier.
The regional meet was this past Saturday in Rugby and was held in less than ideal conditions. Casting the inclement weather aside, the Troopers stepped up their game and turned in some pretty impressive numbers. All in all, it was a day to remember.
“We had rain in the morning at Rugby and then cloudy and gusty winds c and we still ran well,” exclaimed Coach Bill Melaas.
”Someone had to take third place, and our kids put together a very good effort,” the coach added. “Things fell into place for us but the kids still made it happen.”
Headed to state on the boys’ side are Jon Price who qualified in the 1600m run, 3200m run and the 4x400 relay. Joining him on the relay team are Will Robinson, Randy Essler and John Klein.
On the girls’ side, Brittney Klein will be the lone representative. She qualified for state in the 800m run, winning the event in 2:29.74. The girls’ team placed eighth with 25 points.
Many “best times of the year” were turned in in a number of events for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
In the girls’ events, best times were clocked in the 4x100m relay consisting of Robyn Essler, McKaila Matteson, Sommer Johnson and Jessica Dimitch. The 4x400 relay team of Esser, Matteson, Dimitch and Klein also chose the regional tournament to hit the tape in season-best time.
On the boys’ side, “best times” included the 4x200 relay, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay. Team members in the 4x200 included Matt Knutson, John Klein, Dan Gackle and Andrew Haugen. Members of the 4x200 relay include Knutson, Gackle, Essler and Haugen. The 4x400 relay team included Will Robinson, Essler, Klein and Price. The 4x800 team consisted of Robinson, Price, Klein and Haugen.
“We had many PR (personal best times of the season),” said Melaas. “That is what they should do – ‘peak’ at the opportune time.”
