There are times when athletes or teams are simply thankful to reach the state level, knowing full well that the competition there may be a little too stiff to even think about placing.

Thursday, June 07, 2001

There are times when athletes or teams are simply thankful to reach the state level, knowing full well that the competition there may be a little too stiff to even think about placing.

That’s not the case with this year’s area entrants in the state track and field meet. Several look like they have a good chance to bring home a medal.

Albert Lea has two entrants competing in Class AA, freshman Emily Bartusek in the 400 and 200 meters and the triple jump, and Nick Cunningham in the high jump.

Six athletes from the area will compete in Class A, including four from United South Central. Casey Christensen qualified in four events, the 100, 200, 400 and triple jump. Other Rebels competing are Jake Courrier, discus; Jeff Goeden, 1600; and Tim Rauenhorst, 3200.

Derek Thorson of Alden-Conger will compete in the 800.

Kalisha Anthony of NRHEG will pole vault.

The state meet starts Friday with preliminaries and finals in some events and concludes Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

The Class AA preliminaries are at 10 a.m. Friday, with Class A at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, Bartusek will triple jump at 9:30 a.m. and Cunningham will high jump at 1 p.m., the same time Courrier, Anthony and Christensen will compete in field events. The running event finals start at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the last race set for 4:40 p.m.