Yesterday completed yet another season of track and field in Nebraska. I am admittedly not a track guy, but this event always gladdens my heart when it comes to the state of athletics in Nebraska. Over a two day span more than 10,000+ people watch athletes from Class A, B, C, D. While marks are not as fast, far, or high as some states it is great to see young people compete as hard as they can.
(disclaimer: I coach an athlete that competed and won this weekend)
All of that being said, I was very disappointed Lincoln Journal Star for not covering the Lincoln athletes more prominently. I understand that there are some big stories out there. Namely LeQuae Moen-Davis of Omaha North and Ted Lampkin basically singlehandedly winning the team state titles for their schools. But there were plenty of stories, and winners, from Lincoln that were buried in the middle of the sports section. In their defense there are too many things to cover. But you are a Lincoln paper. As interesting as a story on metro folks might be, I am guessing that people around here could care less. So here is my best attempt to give the top distance stories of the meet. Some were covered by the LJS, some not so well.
-Love was deservedly given to Van Sanderfer from Southwest for his performance in the hurdles and pole vault (though the cynic in me things his future as a Husker does not hurt).
-Taylor Johnson of Southeast should have gotten a TON more respect. Two year silver medalist, put her time in fall XC. Runs well all season.
-Pius X girls in the 4 x 8. The paper did well here, I just love what they do over there, even as a rival coach.
-Chloe Gustafson of LSE with her performances in the 3200m (2nd) and 1600m (4th).
-Mary Hillis of Southwest freaking tripled in the 3200m(3rd), 1600m (3rd), and 800m (3rd). That is insane.
-Now my favorite story (see disclaimer above). Mohammed Hamdan of North Star pulled off a pretty big upset winning the 1600m with an All-Class Gold time of 4:18.8. The fastest time in the state since Todd Gulizia of the Millard South won state with a 4:18.1. Mo made a race out of the 800m run in the morning, running a one second PR of 1:54.6. Which was only good enough for third, which is ridiculous by itself. But he ran a race that was well beyond his 10th grade standing by being patient, taking the lead, and then not backing down. His story was buried at the end of the Ted Lampkin article. In my opinion, winning All-Class Gold as a 10th grader at least ranks an individual article.
But those who know the sport know the deal. So props to Mo, and all the Lincoln athletes who competed this weekend.
Props to Mo. Get Musiel a new hat.
Although I may be a little biased as well, I think Levi Gibson (Class C) would be another name to add to the “Lincoln List”. I realize the main focus of the post is distance running, but since Van from Southwest was mentioned, I wanted to mention Levi.
He is a junior who won either gold or silver in all four of his events (LJ, 100, 200, 400) PLUS he was “all-class” in all four of his events. If you throw in the fact that he ran fast times in multiple heats, I think it’s pretty darn impressive. I’m predicting he will challenge for several Class C state and meet records next year(especially the 400), assuming he remains injury-free.