No Section

A look ahead at the state track and field meet

What to watch for this weekend at Hamline.

By David La Vaque

June 8, 2012 at 5:26AM

Andover's Tom Anderson is the defending state champion in shot put. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

When and where: Friday and Saturday at Hamline University in St. Paul

Daily start times: 9 a.m. for Class 2A, about 3:30 p.m. for Class 1A

Championship events Friday: girls' long jump, high jump, discus; boys' triple jump, pole vault, shot put; girls' and boys' 3,200 meters. Saturday -- all other events.

Parking: Free at the State Fairgrounds. Free shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes.

Tickets: $10 adults, $7 students

Four track and field athletes who own all-time records highlight a strong corps of runners, jumpers and throwers who will compete at the state meet Friday and Saturday at Hamline University. Here are 10 to watch:

BOYS

R.J. Alowonle, senior, Park of Cottage Grove Two-time defending state champion broke the 25-year-old state 300-meter hurdles record this spring (36.38 seconds). Also took the 110 hurdles crown last season. Top seed in the triple jump.

Tom Anderson, senior, Andover Son of local and national throwing legends Colin and Lynne, Anderson carved his place with an all-time best shot put mark (65 feet, 8 inches). Won shot put state title last season. Top seed in discus.

Mark Braun, senior, Irondale Dynamic wheelchair division athlete could set lasting standards in the 800 and 1,600 races and shot put and discus throw. Braun, adopted from his native Jamaica, missed state last year to meet with the country's prime minister about putting more resources into adoption.

D'Monte Farley, senior, Park of Cottage Grove The second Wolfpack standout will be in the mix for titles in the 100 and 200 dashes and long jump.

Jagger Gran, senior, Mounds View A pole-vaulting threat to defending champion Lee Bares of Lakeville South. Missed tying the all-time record by 1 inch when he cleared 15 feet, 7 inches in April at the Hamline Elite Meet.

GIRLS

Maggie Ewen, junior, St. Francis Dwarfed her contemporaries with an all-time record discus throw of 172-7. Holds two state titles in the event and also won the shot put last spring.

Jessica January, junior, Richfield Back to defend two consecutive 100 hurdles titles. Set the all-time record (14.33 seconds) as a freshman. Did not attempt to qualify in her other strong events, the 300 hurdles and long jump.

Megan Linder, sophomore, Cretin-Derham Hall Angling for the title of Minnesota's fastest high school female. Posted strong qualifying times in the 100, 200 and 400.

Nadia Lorencz, junior, Farmington Emerging triple threat should find herself in top medal contention in 110 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Carrying the top seed into both field events.

Jamie Piepenberg, senior, Alexandria Has run better times than distance-running rival Maria Hauger of Shakopee. Earned top seed in both the 1,600 and 3,200. Won 3,200 as freshman and junior and took 1,600 as a sophomore.

about the writer

David La Vaque

Reporter

David La Vaque is a high school sports reporter who has been the lead high school hockey writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2010. He is co-author of “Tourney Time,” a book about the history of Minnesota’s boys hockey state tournament published in 2020 and updated in 2024.