I was behind the mark and didn’t realize the track and field teams were already getting into their season. I’ll blame the weather, but that doesn’t field as a valid excuse—these student-athletes are already on track for a great season.
On Saturday, March 29, the Two Harbors team was one of 18 competing at the Griak Indoor Classic at the University of Minnesota, one of only two non-metro schools in the event.
Many students exceeded their own best performances. Tommy DeChantal not only outdid himself but also broke the school record in the 60-meter high hurdles, finishing in 9.57 seconds. The previous record, set by Zach Demining, had stood for over a decade. DeChantal won his heat and placed 8th overall in the event.
“Tommy ran a good race, especially considering that he hasn’t run the high hurdles in two years,” explained Ryan McIntyre, the team’s coach. DeChantal has primarily focused on the 300-meter intermediate hurdles rather than the high hurdles.
Tate Nelson shattered his own school record in the 60-meter dash, clocking in at 7.15 seconds to take first place. He edged out an Eau Claire Memorial runner by just three-hundredths of a second. His previous record of 7.27 seconds was set two years ago. Nelson also secured 2nd place in the long jump with a leap of 20’9”.
Trinity Giddings, who will be running track at Minnesota State University Mankato, is already making history. With her talent and dedication, she’s set to be an incredible asset—the Mavericks will be lucky to have her.
She broke the Griak Meet record in the 400-meter dash with a winning time of 58.07 seconds, surpassing a record that had stood for 27 years. Not only did she break it, but she crushed it, setting a new mark well ahead of the previous time of 58.32 seconds.
Though the 400-meter dash is Giddings’ specialty event, she hadn’t run indoors since her 9th-grade season. Indoor tracks are half the size of outdoor tracks, meaning the race is two laps instead of one. According to the coach, this change “can have a psychological effect on the runners.”
Not only did the shift in setting present its own challenges, but the athletes were also not allowed to use starting blocks.
“Her incredibly fast time was a pleasant surprise considering the changes from the usual race,” said McIntyre.
Giddings also won the long jump with a leap of 17’10” and tied her own school record set the week before at the Polar League Conference Indoor Meet at UWS. She also took first in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.00 seconds.
Several other Agate athletes placed in the top 8:
- Brynn von Goertz – 7th in shot put – 27’2.5”
- Delaney Nelson – 5th in long jump – 15’15”
- Olivia Hagglund – 7th in triple jump – 30’1”
- Chase Pierce – 2nd in shot put – 49’8.25”
- Carter Nelson – 7th triple jump – 37’10.5”
Overall, the Agates showcased impressive performances, with standout individual achievements and a strong team effort. The girls finished 5th out of 16 teams, and the boys placed 6th out of 18. It’s clear that the team is on track for a successful season ahead.
