Irish track reloading after successful 2011
Defending SSC boys track champs lost many of their biggest point-scorers
If Rosemount is to repeat as state boys True Team track and field champion, it will be with some new athletes scoring big points.
Many of the Irish’s go-to athletes last year were seniors. But Rosemount’s program had a Minnesota State High School League Class AA champion in 2008 and a state True Team runner-up in 2010, which indicates it’s capable of reloading.
Returning athletes for Rosemount include senior Chandler Dye, who finished fifth in the 800-meter run at last year’s MSHSL Class AA meet, and senior Phong Dovu, who was 17th in the long jump. Dye also ran on Rosemount 4×800 relay team at state a year ago.
The Irish have 24 seniors, but the roster is heavy on ninth-graders, sophomores and juniors.
Senior Nathan Rock was third in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600 at the Section 1AA meet last season. Calvin Lehn, also a senior, was fifth in the 3,200.
Pole vaulter Ryan Vick and hurdler Conor Manning also could be key pieces of the puzzle for the Irish, who also are defending South Suburban Conference champions.
The Irish will run in an invitational meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Farmington High School.
Rosemount girls
Rosemount could make another run at a state championship in the 4×400 relay – provided the Irish can replace anchor leg runner Shade Pratt, who’s now playing soccer at the University of Maryland.
The other three runners from the relay – senior Thana Hussein, sophomore Hannah Grim and ninth-grader Rachel Schow – are back this season.
Seniors Laura Dennis (Rosemount’s Athena Award winner for 2012) and Tori Grund placed in the 800 at last year’s Section 1AA meet. They, along with Grund, ran on a 4×800 relay that finished second in the section in 2011.
Senior Natalie Busher (jumps) and junior Katie Duff (throws) will be among Rosemount’s top athletes in field events.
Rosemount competed at an invitational meet at Prior Lake on Thursday and will be host of an invitational at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. South Suburban Conference teams Eagan, Eastview and Prior Lake are among those scheduled to compete next week at Rosemount.
