2006 Track and Field Preview
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The Blake School Track and Field team is looking forward to another fun and exciting season. The Bears will be lead by four senior captains Shane Svenpladsen, Isaac Anderson, Anne Stake and Clare Zutz and expectations are high.
Blake returns a strong number of athletes. Head coach Jason Shantz reports, “The girls are well balanced all around. They have consistently placed in the top two in the conference the past seven years, winning in 2002. While the boys strength should be in the sprints, long and triple jump and short relays (4x100, 4x200).”
Entering his eighth year with the Blake track and field team, head coach, Jason Shantz has experienced many team and individual accomplishments. Since taking over direction of the team in 1999, the Bears have placed in the top five at the State meet three times while enjoyed multiple individual State Champions.
In 2005 the boys’ team placed 5th in the Tri-Metro Conference and 7th at the State. Individuals like Isaac Anderson, Isaiah Ellison, Chris Murray, and Sean Burns were the standouts with Isaac Anderson setting a new Minnesota State record in Class A 100 meter dash with a time of 10.94. The Boys 4X100 relay team set Blake School record with a time of 43.50.
Coach Shantz predicts, “We have some new kids out this year that will hopefully make a positive impact on the team. Our strength will be speed. The coaching staff has put together a good game plan in the off-season to improve on last year’s team performance at state. If everyone stays healthy, we could very likely be in the top five at the state meet.”
The girls’ squad placed 2nd in Sections 4A and 26th at the 2005 State meet. Claire Richardson and Sophie Fritz will return as the Bears top distance runners. Kyndal Hargrow and Alisha Reynolds will be strong in the sprints, while Mary Angla Curran, Clare Zutz and Anne Stake will lead Blake in the hurdles and relays. Laura Komarek and Peta Hinds will be our top throwers.
“I think the key this year is to develop some of the younger kids and hopefully they can step up towards the end of the year in the bigger meets. Also, like I have stated in the past, keeping kids healthy is the vital. We believe if all goes well, a number of kids could qualify for the state meet and do very well,” ponders Shantz.
Returning assistant coaches, Bob Smith, (shot and discus), Keith Clark who will be coaching the sprinters and relays and Gary Lee, (head cross country). Gary will be coaching the distance crew along with Nancy Martinson.
“Keep everyone happy and healthy.......only good things can happen,” quips Shantz in conclusion.
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