A year ago, Hamline came within an eyelash of ending St. Thomas’ 27-year reign as MIAC Indoor Track & Field Champions, losing out by a mere eight points. In 2012, the Pipers will send a veteran contingent that a strong field team and a rapidly improving track side in an effort to overtake the Tommies.

In the Weight Throw, seniors Brennan McKeag and Andrew Schlicting have been sitting 1-2 all year … exactly where they finished in last year’s meet.  Both have been MIAC Field Athletes Of The Week. Mckeag and Joe Morelli also stand 1-2 in conference in the Shot Put going into this meet. Their performances have overshadowed soph Ben Dvorak, who has also been in the Top Ten this year.

 Shaise Schuette, who has also been a MIAC Field AOTW this winter, ranks second in the Pole Vault. (Mark Volker, a freshman, also ranks in the Top Ten.)

But the Pipers are more than just top heavy in the field events. They have some real depth as exhibited by Travis Latzke and Amani Lee, who come into this meet third and fifth respectively in the Triple Jump. Latzke and teammate Derrick Mora also rank in the Top Ten in The Long Jump.

As one would expect (considering their Cross Country pedigree), there is also a slew of talented distance runners. Devin Monson has been rated second most of the winter in the 3000 Meter Run. Fellow senior Ellis Richardson has also had a good season and is expected to seriously contend for a top five finish.  Monson and Richardson come into the 5000 Meter Run ranked 1-2 in the league. Another senior,  Jack Deichert, has been terrific in the 1000 Meter Run, coming in with the best time recorded (2:29.47) of all the listed entrants.  Deichert also ranks third in the Mile Run but his top time of 4:12.46 is only two seconds off the top time recorded this winter. The talented senior sits fourth in the 800 Meter Run.

In the sprints, Christian Willman has been solidly consistent in the 200 and 400 Meter Dashes.  Mora is in the Top 10 for the 60 Meter Dash . A pair of freshmen – Arthur Moore and Eric Hanson – have been consistent contenders in the 55 Meter Hurdles. Moore’s time of 8.05 seconds in a mere .03 away from being the best time noted this year. More has also been solid in the 60 Meter Hurdles, coming in a mere .06 short of the best time of the year. DJ Weil ranks sixth in the 200 meter Dash but his best time is less than a second off the 22.26 that is the best recorded in the league this year.

For all pertinent information on the meet (times, ticket and parking information, results), please click here.