None of the current members of Hamline’s Men’s Track and Field team had even been born when the school won its last outdoor title in 1982. But many of them were around last year when the Pipers lost out to St. John’s by four points for the title. And they are would like to see that ancient history (well, 30 years ago anyway) be repeated instead of the modern type. 

The Pipers will attempt do so this weekend in Moorhead with a deep contingent of long distance runners (several of whom have been part of the three-time conference cross country championship contingent) and an impressive field unit. 

Tops on the running list is senior Devin Monson, who has the best recorded times this year in the MIAC this year in the 5,000 and 10,000 Meter races. Should he match (or even come close) to his 10,000 time of 29:37.13 he recently ran in Hillsdale, Michigan, he would shatter the conference record set (ironically) in 1982.That time ranks fourth in the all of D-III for 2012. His 5,000 time of 14;29.72 ranks 10th nationally.  

Monson may have to fend off his own teammates to do so. Jack Deichert, the current MIAC Men’s Track Athlete Of The Week, won last year’s 1500 Meter race.. He has the second best time this year in  the league in the 1500 (a smoking 3:51.92 recorded just last week) and the third best 5,000 (14:42, 25th nationally). Ellis Richardson is also hot on Monson’s tail with a second best league ranking in the 10,000 (30:45.56) and the fourth best MIAC effort in the 5,000 (14:53.80). 

Brennan McKeag won the Shot Put and was the third in the Hammer Throw in last year's meet. This spring, he ranks tops in both events. He has had to fend off some familiar faces in Joe Morelli (second in the Shot Put) and Andrew Schlicting, who has a likewise position in the Hammer.(He is also ranked 21st nationally.)  

But it takes more than a few wins to cop an outdoor title. Veteran head coach Paul Schmaedeke is hoping that folks like Nate Dobbins (currently ranked second in the Steeplechase) as well as freshmen Arthur Moore (seventh, 110 Meter Hurdles) and Luke Johannsen (seventh, 400 Meter Hurdles) can move up the list in Moorhead. In addition, the Pipers have four of the top ten listed results this year in the Triple Jump.  

“Our goal is always to be in the top three,” Schmaedeke said. “We lost some real good talent from last year’s team and it is difficult to ask freshmen to score a lot of points in their first conference meet. And I wish we were a bit healthier (PV Shaise Schuette is hurt). But our guys have been getting better all spring and I think we’re going there in a good frame of mind. We’re as ready as we can be.”   

Click here for a link to the entire meet schedule.