Prep Scene
It was quite the day for Andover High School hurdler Blake Nyenati, Roseville hurdler Ava Fitzgerald, Champlain Park sprinter Richlu Tudee, Eden Prairie leaper Nia Holloway, Hill Murray sprinter Simon Seidl, and Minneapolis Southwest jumper Hakeem Ford last weekend as each turned in dominating performances at the state track and field meet held at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
Nyenati comes back strong
Nyenati, who hadn’t competed in two years, turned in top performances in the 110-hurdles (13.83) and 300 hurdles (37.38) while leading Andover to the Class 3A state title.
Fitzgerald sets record
Fitzgerald, who will pursue academic and athletic endeavors at Sacramento State University, not only took first place in the 100-meter hurdles. The senior set a Class 3A state record in the process with a time of 13.81 seconds, breaking the previous mark of 13.94 by East Ridge’s Karina Joiner in 2016.
Tulu dominates
Tulu won the 100-and-200-meter dashes and ran the second leg of the first-place 4×100 relay team—which also included Alvin Thompson, Lorenzo Andrews, and Emmitt Tutt—in the Class 3A boys meet. He finished with times of 10.61 (100) and 21.13 (200) while the relay team clocked in at 41.87.
Holloway leaps to state crown
Holloway, who will play basketball at the University of Minnesota after an outstanding prep career, dominated in another sport this past spring, culminating in leaping 5’8” to successfully defend the Class 3A girls high jump title she earned last year.
Simon Seidl comes through
Seidl overcame injury to run the third leg of the 4×100 relay team—which also included Rashad McKinley, Gianni Hurley, and Sawyer Seidl—placing first with a time of 42.36 first in Class 2A competition.
Ford jumps long for championship
Ford, a senior who also averaged 12.6 points for the boys basketball team this season, was the Class 3A triple jump champion with a leap of 47’8”.
Anderson’s record remains
It was interesting to see the former Hopkins sprinter Tayler Anderson’s record in the 100-meter dash is still intact. She set the mark in 2012 with a time of 11.71.
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