With four teams placing in the top 10 of the Class 2A boys' state meet last year, the Suburban East Conference is looking to continue flexing its track-and-field muscle this spring.
Stillwater, Forest Lake, East Ridge and Woodbury are all power programs. Why does it always seem like these schools are challenging for the titles every year?
"It's coach-driven," Stillwater boys' team coach Scott Christensen said. "It's a very experienced coaching staff in our conference. They know what they're doing. They build a lot of depth and emphasize true team."
Stillwater returns as the defending state champion. Eli Krahn won the 1,600-meter run as a freshman. He finished eighth overall in the state cross-country meet last fall as a sophomore. Junior Bailey Hesse-Withbro and senior Taylor Aarness were also a part of another strong cross-country season for the Ponies and should figure to be strong challengers in events this spring. Stillwater is a distance-running team that adds in field event points where it needs them.
"That formula has worked well for many collegiate teams," he said. "We're not going to change our formula."
Even though the Ponies won the Class 2A state championship, Christensen still felt Wayzata had the better team. The Trojans captured the True Team state meet, for which Christensen gives more credit.
"We might have the state high school league trophy, but Wayzata had a better team than we did," Christensen said. "They beat us fair and square at True Team, and that's where you decide where the best track-and-field team is."
Forest Lake finished right behind in the runner-up position. While the Rangers lost two individual state champions to graduation, they will field another strong squad. Returning athletes include senior Patrick Murphy, who was part of the 4x100-meter relay championship performance with a time of 42.43. Senior Preston Huddlestone is a returning state meet long jumper.
