Boys Track: Big numbers produce BIG results at Missota Conference Relays

Joe Ouyang helped the Tigers to second in shot put and discus (photo by Jim Lidnquist)

Farmington's record number of track athletes produced some impressive results at Tuesday's annual running of the Missota Conference Relays in Shakopee.

In a meet where every event is contested a relay, the Tigers used their superior depth to finish the day on top of the standings with 177 points. Chanhassen was runner-up at 161, followed by Shakopee 149, Red Wing 147, Northfield 140, New Prague 108, Holy Angels 69 and Chaska 68.

In addition to the traditional (and some non-traditional) running relays, each field event was also contested on a team basis with the total distance/height of a three competitors in each determining the ranking.

Farmington didn't win one of the 17 events but placed no lower than fifth in any of  them. Depth matters.

"This was a numbers game and we have a ton of depth," coach Brian Helmstetter said. "Some of the schools have some great runners that will help them at the conference meet in May, but today was about talent across the entire meet.

"I think the boys were caught off guard with their finish, but they were awfully excited when the scores were read at the end of the meet as the captains grabbed the trophy...This was a great meet to acknowledge the team concept and the fact that everyone competing has a place."

Tyler Lerbakken 2nd, 3rd and 5th place finish (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Although Farmington didn't win an event, it walked off with seven runner-up finishes. including five in the field events.

Second place finishers
 4x800:  Tyler Lerbakken, Eric Stoeckman, Jared Wolt, Trevor Breezley
1600-meter sprint medley: Sam Hoffman, Jack Erickson, Tommy Weigel, Chad Retterath
Distance medley: Jeff Gutierrez, Clayton Webb, Jake Rudeen, Justin Hyytinen
Discus: CJ Wynings, Bret Hoffman, Joe Ouyang
Shot put: Wynings, Hoffman, Ouyang
Pole Vault: Reid Taubenheim, Connor Phu, Cullen Smith
Triple jump: Justin Hett, Josh Baker, Smith


Third place
4x400: Alex Lubbers, Weigel, Stoeckman, Lerbakken
Throwers 4x100: Hoffman, Ouyang, Ruark, Wynings
100 hurdles: Nehemiah Rockett, Nickolas Ruark, Dan Berg, Phu
High jump: Berg, Smith, Baker
Long jump: Justin Hett, Sean McHenry, Smith

Fourth place
300 hurdles: Baker, Rockett, Berg, Ruark
4x200: Ryan Parco, Blake Ross, Hoffman, Erickson
4x1600:  Luis Rodriguez, Hyytinen, Gutierrez, Rudeen

Fifth place
4x100: Derek Klotter, Athen Ashton, Alex Chadwick, Mason Auge
Sprint medley: Chadwick, Auge, Erickson, Lerbakken

"This was an awesome effort," Helmstetter said. " It was fun to watch the guys realize what they had accomplished and to see the excitement they had for each other.

"I need to give credit to my assistant coaches for putting up with the huge numbers and having the patience to give time to each athlete."