Here is a roundup of area standouts at the Class 2A state track and field meet Saturday at St. Michael-Albertville High School:
Naomi Moore, Simley
The junior took home the title in the 100-meter dash after falling short the two years prior, and she set a new class record of 14.49 seconds. She credits her team and support system for getting over the hump this time around.
“I’ve been pushing really hard to get first this year, and it feels really good achieving that,” Moore said. “My main head coach was the one who helped me start hurdling; she really inspired me to keep going… (All my coaches) have really kept me motivated to keep going.”
Thomas Lamkin, Red Wing
Thomas, a senior and Boston University commit in track field, won the 100-meter dash in 10.76 seconds for his second consecutive title. He was unsure whether he’d even compete in the section meet as he dealt with nagging injuries that worsened throughout the season.
“I honestly just thought my season was over,” Lamkin said of his injuries. “I told my coach, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a good season like I did last year.’ But I managed to get second in both (the 100 and 200) somehow and qualified.”
“My senior year has really just been plagued with injuries. … I strained my groin, my hamstring, and it just kept on moving. Champions season was coming up and you just got to go regardless, healthy or not, because they’re not going to give you a free pass to state. You got to go qualify for it,” he added.
Lamkin placed third in the 200 (22.12), which was won by Parker Peterson of Hutchinson in 21.68.
Carter Reckelberg, Becker
The junior has been involved with track and field since he was 8 years old competing in summer competitions for USATF and in AAU meets. The years of work paid off after he secured the long jump state title. His winning jump of 23 feet, 3/4 inches was over a foot longer than the next best jumper. Four of his six jumps either tied for or surpassed the second-place jump.
“I’ve done track all the way up until now,” Reckelberg said. “It’s my ninth year… It feels good with all the hard work and preparation I’ve put in the offseason, working with Antoine Holly from Minnesota Triathlete, just a lot of jumping.”
Brooke Hohenecker, Providence Academy
A varsity track athlete since the seventh grade, the senior capped off her high school career with a sweep in the 100 (12.07), 200 (24.52), and 400 (56.35). The University of St. Thomas commit recently came across a journal from when she was little, and one of the goals written in it was to win three events at state by the end of her high school career.
“It’s been a part of my life since forever,” Hohenecker said. “It’s just been such a fun ride with all my coaches and stuff, supporting me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.
“I’ve always had the goal in mind to make it to state and hopefully win all my events, and I feel very proud to say that I’ve been able to do that. It’s just an unreal feeling.”
Lorenzo Hampton III, Fridley
Hampton became a standout hurdler after one of his coaches recommended he give it a try as an eighth-grade varsity athlete. Three years later, he was the only sophomore competing against a field of juniors and seniors in the 300-meter final, and he won in 37.66 seconds, edging Alexandria’s Otto Anderson by .34 seconds.
In last year’s prelims, Hampton fell coming off the curve and finished eighth. He said the incident was “devastating” but knew he’d be back.
“I try not to think about it too much because being there in the ninth grade, it was really, really scary,” Hampton said of his mindset coming into this year’s state race. “It’s a huge comeback. … It makes me feel way better, and as a sophomore, it’s a dream. It’s only up from here.”
Grazina Troup, Minnehaha Academy
Troup, a junior, went through a phase of trying many different events in hopes of finding the right one for her. She eventually found peace in the triple jump last season. Now, she’s a state champion in just her second year competing in the event, with a winning jump of 38-5 1/4. Ayisat Adebayo of Simley was runner-up at 38-4 1/2.
“I didn’t know what I was going to be best at,” Troup said. “I tried a bunch of different running events. Eventually, I was about to find an event that suits me the best, and I feel like triple jump and jumping in general has been my best spot. … I’m very proud of myself.”
Parker Peterson, Hutchinson
The senior began running track just three years ago and instantly fell in love with it. Through all the training he puts into his craft in the summer, along with pushing through injuries he sustained during football season, he capped off his short career with a state title in the 200 (21.68), edging Mound-Westonka’s Jack Markstrom by .22 seconds.
“I’ve just been fighting to increase my times and to get better,” Peterson said. “I trained all summer. Every day I was running just to get that high speed, and it takes a lot but it’s worth it.”
“I suffered an ankle injury during football that I’ve been kind of ignoring. I was really worried about being able to maintain and increase my times, but it’s been a fight, and I’m happy with how it turned out.”
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