STATE TRACK MEET... CLASS "A"

[Bobby Mills Jr. (1000 Yard Guy)]

Photo courtesy of Journal Star

Part II of a Four Part Series

Whatever you do, please refrain from being in complete shock after this prediction. There will be no picking yourself up off the floor to know Kearney is, in all likelihood, going to win the Class A Title. So what else is new? The Bearcats will win their 784th consecutive invitational meet (or something like that) as their National Record streak continues. Coach Roger Mathiesen is once again the Coach of The Universe and the ’Cats run away with this baby by say, 30 points. Too many qualifiers, and too many skilled qualifiers at that. Once that blue and white bus pulls up to that stadium at Omaha Burke, the “Executioners” begin the quest for the Big Trophy. Same drill. They know it well.
Nobody in the Bearcat uni folds here….too disciplined. You’ve seen it too many times. There will be no wild cheers when an Eastern team dethrones the “Kings of Track”……not this time around.

Projected Final results:

Kearney 93
Millard West 63
Lincoln North Star 45
Lincoln Northeast 42
Fremont 38
Omaha Burke 38

The Major Players………….
KEARNEY - Difficult to find where the weaknesses are with this bunch. The 'Cats usually have it pretty much in hand after the Field Events. That’s the plan anyway. Looks like they should be ahead of Lincoln NE by 11 points if you add all those points initially. Jack Chatelain is the main man in these events. Should be in the top 3 in the Jumps, Dillon Snider and Alex Johnson could both score in the Discus, and Paul Bolin could grab a top 3 in the Pole Vault.
On the Track, once again it's Chatelain, and he should dual North Star’s Sam Housh for the title in the Highs, Josh Mead will grab some high places in the highly competitive sprints, both the 400 and 1,600 Meter Relays should be right up there, and David Prater is a threat to score in the long races. Johnson, and Brandt Humphrey have both cracked the 2 minute mark in the 800, and you never know, Brandon Landanger could grab some points in the 300IH.
Kearney qualified AT LEAST one athlete in EVERY event in this Meet. No need for any further discussion.

MILLARD WEST - Got to be honest here. I usually stay neutral, but I’ll be one of Kohlman Adema-Shulte’s biggest cheerleaders this weekend. The kid has had a rough year for pain, but I sincerely hope he can feel the magic of the big show and at least grab the crown in the Century. You have to think Taylor Shapland has a great shot at the Gold in the Shot. The 3200 Relay looks like it could get Fremont this time. The 1600 Relay is peaking at the right time and may give Westside, Kearney and LSE all they want. Could David Poots catch either Hunt or Vidlak in the Mile? Jared Kenny looks tough in the 8, and Coil could place in the 3200. The Wildcats have a fine squad and pushed Kearney IN Kearney last Wednesday, but will most likely come up short here. Stranger things have happened though.

LINCOLN NORTH STAR - I THINK Dillon Schrodt could win it all in the HJ. Can Papio’s Thompson repeat though? The 3200 Relay team reeled off a “A” leading 8:10.34 at Districts, Tang is a scary Freshman in the open 3200, Schnell is a good half miler and 1600 man, and Schrodt just could place up there in both Hurdles.

LINCOLN NORTHEAST - It’s Quality, not Quantity with this bunch. Here it is in a short, short……Porter Groves in the Jumps, Football stud Cole Pensick in the Shot, and Trevor Vidlak in the long races. Short and sweet, all probably will grab a first or second place medal.

FREMONT - DISTANCE is the word for the Tigers. Mitch Hunt in the long races, and the 3200 Meter relay will be strong. Wilkins in the PV. The Tigers could use a few more Mitchell Hunts, huh?

OMAHA BURKE - Jake Marousek may just get everyone in the 200. So may the 400 Meter Relay, a race that just may make your heart rate sprial out of sight! 1600 Meter relay could contend for a gold also……and to nobody’s surprise, Stephon Washington will zip to the big win the 300’s and could do a lot better in the Highs than I had him figured for.

No hiding my favorite races in this Class…..The 100 Meter Dash and the 400 Relay. That 100 will be a sweetheart and with it usually carries the Title “Nebraska’s Fastest High School Athlete”. Weather should be very comfortable for the kids this year and if the wind isn’t naughty, some fine times and marks could be in store?