MN State track: Lancers’ high hopes

By RICK SOLEM
ricks@mwfbroadcasting.com

ST. PAUL – Taylor Gibson, Brielle Bierman and Katie Shepardson should have their sights set high heading into the MSHSL Track and Field Championships.

The La Crescent trio has some of the best times in the state heading into the Class A meet Friday and Saturday at Hamline University. The Class A meet begins at 3:30 p.m. Class AA begins at 9 a.m.

Gibson, a senior, has the second best time in the state in the 800-meter dash (2 minutes, 15.01 seconds), while Shepardson, also a senior, is right behind her, with the fourth-best time in state (2:18.49).

Cannon Falls junior holds the No. 1 time in the state (2:13.47).

In the 300 hurdles, Bierman, a junior, also has the second-best time in the state (46.22), behind Blue Earth freshman Taylor Grandgenett (45.13).

Gibson, Katie Shepardson and Bierman will also team up with eighth grader Claire Shepardson in the 1,600 relay, where they hold the No. 2 time in the state (4:06.06). Blue Earth has the best time (4:00.32).

Gibson also has the sixth-fastest time in the state in the 1,600 (5:11.54). Blake junior Clare Flanagan ran the fastest 1,600 this season (4:50.54).

Also looking to end the weekend on top of the podium is Caledonia’s Emma Lange. The senior is one of five in the state that has cleared 5-foot, 4-inches in the high jump.

CLASS A BOYS

Caledonia/Spring Grove junior West Pier is one of seven state participants to have cleared 6-3 in the high jump at sectionals.

The only sectional height better was by Pillager senior Matt Neururer at 6-8.

The Winona Cotter 3,200 relay team has the best time in state (8:06.08) and the No. 1 seed – in other words, the best lane assignment – in the field. That team is made up of seniors Jacob Johnson, John Killen and Emilio Taiveaho and junior Matt Schrupp.

Cotter’s Kenny Kirkvold has the seventh best distance in the shot put (51-3½ ).

MEET SCHEDULE

MSHSL CLASS A TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

At HAMLINE UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL

FRIDAY, 3:30 p.m.

GIRLS

(local qualifying seeds)

1,600: 4. Taylor Gibson (La Crescent, sr.) 5:11.54.

300 HURDLES: 2. Brielle Bierman (La Crescent, jr.) 46.22.

800: 1. Gibson (LaCr) 2:15.01, 3. Katie Shepardson (LaCr, sr.) 5:18.49.

1,600 RELAY: 2. La Crescent (C. Shepardon, K. Shepardson, Bierman, Gibson), 4:06.06.

3,200: 9. Sylvia Lechnir (LaCr, soph.) 11:54.52.

HIGH JUMP: 1. Emma Lange (Caledonia/Spring Grove) 5-4.

SHOT PUT: 12. Aly Folz (C/SG) 35-¾.

BOYS

3,200 RELAY: 1. Winona Cotter (J. Johnson, Schrupp, Killen, Taiveaho), 8:06.08.

110 HURDLES: 11. Joe Koll (Win.Cot., sr.) 16.10.

300 HURDLES: 10. Joe Koll (Win.Cot., sr.) 41.35.

100: 10. Ryan Pitts (C/SG, jr.) 11.36.

200: 15. Pitts (C/SG, jr.) 23.34.

800: 9. Emilio Taiveaho (Win.Cot., sr.) 2:00.52.

HIGH JUMP: 2. West Pier (C/SG, jr.) 6-3.

SHOT PUT: 5. Kenny Kirkvold (Win.Cot., sr.) 51-3½.

TRIPLE JUMP: 10. Noah Carlson (Rushford-Peterson, 8^th) 42-1.