Boys Track: Tigers take second at True Team

Tyler Lerbakken 3 1sts (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Farmington coach Brian Helmstetter said he thought his team's depth would be a big plus at Tuesday's Section 1AA True Team Championships at Lakeville North and a top three finish was not out of the question.

The Tigers lived up to their coach's expectations and then some, finishing second in the nine-team meet and showing they are capable of making some noise in the upcoming Missota Conference and Section 1AA meets.

Owatonna won the section's berth in next week's state meet by amassing  882.50 points. Farmington was second at 828, followed by Lakeville North 748, Rochester Century 746,  New Prague 723.50, Lakeville South 691.50, Rochester Mayo 568,  Rochester John Marshall 426.50 and  Northfield 348.

"The boys were awesome today," Helmstetter said. "They all bought into the meaning behind the meet and were excited for each other and wanting to do their best for the team.

"I thought we had an great showing and the competition we saw today is who we are going to see at the section meet so we got a chance to check out some of the top athletes from the other schools."

Leading the track effort for the Tigers were senior Tyler Lerbakken and sophomore Justin Hyytinen. Lerbakken won the 800-meter run in a career-best 2:00.81 and also ran a leg on the winning 4x400 and 4x800 meter relay teams.

Lerbakken, Sean Dougherty, Devon Webb and Jared Wolt clocked 8:15.77 in the 4x800 and he, Wolt, Tommy Weigel and Tanner Grubb won the 4x400 in 3:32.02.

Justin Hyytinen 1600 and 3200 champ (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Hyytinen dominated the distance races, sweeping the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, finishing the 1600 in 4:28.04 and the 3200 in a career-best 9:52.27.

Weigel took second in the 400-meter dash and Grubb was runner-up in in the 200-meter dash. The 4x200 meter relay team of Alex Chadwick, Mason Gaylord, Ryan Parco and Weigel also scored second place points.

Grubb ranked third in the 400-meter dash and Wolt placed third in the 800-meter run.

Sophomore Nehemiah Rockett also had a big day for the Tigers, finishing runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles, fifth in the 110-meter hurdles and ninth in the triple jump.

CJ Wynings took fourth in the discus as did Wyatt Ferm in the high jump. The 4x100 meter relay of Derek Klotter, Sean McHenry, Chadwick and Mason Auge finished fifth.

Other Farmington top 10 finishes:
100-meter dash: 7. Auge
200-meter dash: 6. Auge; 8. Parco
800-meter run: 8. Webb
110-meter hurdles: 8. Dan Berg
Pole vault: 9. Connor Phu

The winning 4x800 relay team of Jared Wolt, Lerbakken, Devon Webb and Sean Dougherty

To view more of Jim Lindquist's photos from the Section 1AA True Team Championships visit
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