The first full meet of the year is quickly approaching. I am really excited about this year’s team. We had some great things happen last year and I think the athletes have high expectations of what they can accomplish in 2020.
Despite the long holiday break, the guys who trained all fall are ready to compete. We have a handful of guys who are just joining us this semester from a fall sport: a couple from soccer and several from football. We also have two freshmen who completed Basic Training in the fall and have begun their first semester at SJU.
As we head into the weekend, I invite you all to attend the alumni meet this weekend. There is still time to register and we have a healthy amount of alumni competing in the meet. Nervous about your start or how that old uniform fits? No worries, come check out the current team and head to Brother Willie’s Pub afterward for pizza, beverages, and probably a few stories from Tim.
Register here: https://csbsju.imodules.com/s/1433/interior.aspx?sid=1433&gid=1&pgid=5321&content_id=4047
To entice your attendance this weekend, here are some key highlights and matchups for the alumni meet:
Alumni
The return of Drew Schoenbauer (2019): welcome Drew back to the track as he shakes the National Championship podium dust off his spikes.
The 400: Steve Dahled vs. Dan Murphy (both class of 2005): I have insider information that one has been doing some serious training. If that matchup doesn’t get you excited, their kids will go head-to-head in the 60.
Jim Schoffman (1975) in the 200 and 400. I look forward to seeing him run every year. Hopefully Dahled and Murphy are prepared.
Triple Jump: Eric Buss (2009) and Paul Ferber (2005) compete in the triple jump. They are ranked #1 and #3 in Saint John’s history. It is looking to be an UNBELIEVABLE competition.
The kids’ 60 meter dash: will they all run in a straight line? Will Coach Joe Vardas’ kids beat the Karger-Gatzow’s?
As for our current group of Johnnies
Sprints: Our sprints crew is pushing twenty guys. The returners have put in some quality work and we have added some talented freshmen. Keep an eye on Charlie Haik (Mounds View, JR) who looks good in practice. Alex Peters (Blaine, FR) has one meet under his belt and Kevin Arthur (Champlin Park, FR) will both be ones to watch.
Jumps: Triple jump and high jump will be big events for us this year. Collin Trout (Cloquet, MN; SR) and Michael Wallace (Nassau, Bahamas; SO) return in triple jump along with two solid freshmen: Cole Tetrault (St. Cloud Cathedral) and Alex Crnkovich (Omaha, NE). High jump added two athletes from the Minnesota State meet: Maguire Petersen (Hutchinson, MN) and Jared Meier (Shakopee, MN).
Pole Vault: We return Shawn Schindler (Maple Grove, SO) who placed third at the MIAC Outdoor Championship last year. We add Joe Stauffer (Cambridge-Isanti, FR) and Drew Dockendorf (Holdingford, JR) who transferred from Concordia-St. Paul. Joe was at the State Championship meet last year and placed 4th with a vault of 14-6. Drew set his PR last season with a vault of 15-9.
Throws: Throws will be anchored by returners Eli Mollet (Jefferson, SD; SO) and Ryan Murphy (Mounds View, JR). Eli set the freshman record in the hammer throw last year. Our four freshmen are learning the weight throw and are wondering why it needs to be so heavy.
Distance: Tre Collins (Royalton, MN; SR) returns after sitting out last year and leads a talented group of first years. Look out for Mitch Grand (Hutchinson), Alexei Hensel (Buffalo), Lloyd Young (Bloomington-Kennedy), and Tom Nemanich (Red Wing).
Field Event schedule
11:00-12:00 Long Jump Men and Women combined (Cafeteria Style)
12:30-1:30 Triple Jump Men and Women combined (Cafeteria Style)
11:00 Pole Vault Women (Men after)
11:00 High Jump Men (Women after)
11:00 Shot Put Women
Men immediately after women
11:00 Weight Throw Men
Women immediately after men
Track Events
11:00 60m Hurdle Prelims M/W
11:20 60m Dash Prelims M/W
11:40 Mile M/W
12:10 60m Hurdle Finals W/M
12:20 60m Dash Finals M/W
12:30 Kids 60m Dash (All Kids Welcome)
12:40 400 M/W
12:55 800 M/W
1:15 200 M/W
1:40 3000 M/W
2:10 1600m Relay M
2:20 800m Relay W