TMCnet News
Prep track: Sauk Rapids Mega Meet will be on the Internet, tooSAUK RAPIDS, May 07, 2011 (St. Cloud Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- When Nathan Miller isn't running, or thinking about running, he is probably making videos about running. The Sauk Rapids junior has made posting youtube.com videos about the Storm a habit. "The reason I do it is to work on our offseason recruiting for cross country," Miller said Friday as he and the Sauk Rapids track and field team prepared for today's Mega Meet. "I think we have a lot of talent, but we're lacking numbers as far as cross country. I want to grab those people (with the videos) to help expand cross country." Miller, who will run the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs, hopes to do some videos today, then post them on the Internet for the world's perusal. Schools competing include: Albany, St. Cloud Apollo, Blaine, Centennial, Foley, Litchfield, Monticello, Rocori, Royalton, Sartell, Spring Lake Park, St. Cloud Cathedral, St. Cloud Christian and St. Cloud Tech. The meet begins at 9:30 a.m. at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. The last event, the boys' 1,600-meter relay, is scheduled for 3:50 p.m. "I'm hoping we get a nice day so everyone can run better," Sauk Rapids head coach Loren Finalyson said. "It seems like we've been running into a headwind all season, although this year it's been more like gale-force." The weather report seems promising for an event that has had its share of bad weather. It makes folks like Miller and teammate Sarah Lentner anticipate a good day. "If the weather cooperates," said Lentner, a junior who runs the 200, 400 and relays. Lentner has seen her times drop from last year. Finlayson credits her offseason training program, which included regular visits to the weight room. "I started where I left off last season," she said. "It's been real good so far ... "I love having home meets. This is my favorite one, too. I know the coaches are real busy (running the meet). But I love being able to run here. There are so many schools." Finlayson said he expects Monticello and Blaine to have strong days in the girls' field. In the boys' division, Sartell and Centennial are expected to be strong. Litchfield should do well, too. He's expecting good things today from his squad, including people like Miller and Lentner. "They are kids who do the right thing, not that other kids aren't doing the right thing, because a lot of them are," Finlayson said. "They're all good kids. "But I just love the attitude they bring to the track. Nathan eats up track. He's a track fanatic. He just loves it. "He puts inspirational notes up in the locker room, running all the time. They both spent all winter preparing and running." Miller's reason for running? "It just makes me feel sane," he said with a smile. "I'm in a whole new zone when I'm running, whether it's practice or a race." He says video-making is a hobby. The most views he has had for any post is the 3,200 from the state Class 2A championship last June in St. Paul. "I'm having fun," he said. "It's really hard to say if it (making videos) gets me anywhere late in life. But if a national broadcast crew needs someone to film races, I'd be delighted to do it." Meet notes @body: " Finlayson said there will be at least one first today for the annual meet. There will be a wheelchair division in the 800. Spring Lake Park has submitted an entry for that race. It's the first year the Minnesota State High School League has sanctioned wheelchair divisions for regular varsity meets. "That's a good thing," Finlayson said. @body: " Seedings were compiled late Friday. They were done by former head track coach Pete Robinet, who will help out today with results. * Finlayson on the weather: "It's going to be the nicest day we've had for the Mega Meet in a while. But all it'd have to do (today) is be over 45 degrees." To see more of the St. Cloud Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sctimes.com . Copyright (c) 2011, St. Cloud Times, Minn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |