12 boys track and field athletes to watch in section meets

May 27—The Section 1A, 2A and 3A boys track and field meets are this week. Here are 12 southeastern Minnesota athletes who figure to have the biggest impact in those state-qualifying competitions.

Kyei-Baffour has had a brilliant season. That includes him being just a fracture shy of the all-time Minnesota record in the 110 hurdles with his 13.75 time (the record is 13.70). The all-time state meet record in the event is 13.88, set in 2012.

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Beale is thought of first of all as a football player, a standout running back who will play in the fall at Winona State University. But the senior has also turned himself into a heck of a sprinter. Beale has run a 10.9 100 and a 22.10 200.

The combination of Isaiah Beale, Sebastian Bari, Logan Rathke and Joseph Boguslawski is one of the state’s best. They have been timed in 42.08, which would have placed third in last year’s state meet. Watch for their time to go down some more.

A senior, Garcia-Lara’s best race is the 200 where he’s been timed in 22.54. Garcia-Lara figures to be a contender in the Section 1-3A meet.

Heimer is a serious state champion contender in the 100. The junior ran a 10.84 in the event this season and is also an excellent long jumper (21-9 1/2). Like Mayo’s Beale, he also happens to be a dominating running back in football where he is getting ample recruiting attention.

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Logren is one in a long line of fantastic Stewartville throwers. His best event is the shot put where he has heaved it 54-feet-10.

Hatz is another star thrower from Stewartville. His best event is the discus. He let it fly 163-2 on Saturday in his state True Team meet.

Taylor has cleared 42-8 in the triple jump, the best mark in southeastern Minnesota this season.

As an eighth-grader last season, Semling already finished second at state in the 3,200 in 9:32.00. He’s even better now, having been clocked in 9:11.17. He’s also a force in the 1,600, timed this season in (4:25.92).

Hilton could run in as many as three events and also mix in the triple jump at state. His best races are the 110 and 300 hurdles where he has been timed in 14.59 and 39.47, respectively. He also ran a 10.89 100 on Saturday. In the triple jump he hovers around 42 feet. Hilton is among the best in the state in all those events.

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Just a sophomore, Goergen is in state-record territory in the 800. He’s been clocked in 1:53.75. The all-time Class 1A state meet record in the event is by Stewartville 1996 graduate Jason Owen (1:50.72).

Petersohn is not only one of the elite athletes in southeastern Minnesota, but the state (Division I football recruit, star basketball player and star track and field athlete). His best events are the 400 and the high jump. A year ago he went 6-10 in the high jump. His best this season is 6-6. Petersohn has run a 49.57 400 this season.