Covert Crushes Minnesota 3,200 Meters Record

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was a good day for Emilys at the Minnesota state track and field championships. In the distance events, junior Emily Covert of Minneapolis Washburn continued to lower Minnesota's all-time state record in the girls 3,200 meters, clocking 10 minutes, 6.19 seconds at Hamline University. She had already broken Elizabeth Yetzer's 2005 record (10:16.59) twice this spring.

In the Class AA girls 800, senior Emily Kompelien of Edina won the 800 (2:10.25) and 1,600 (4:46.36). Covert was runner-up in the 1,600 (4:47.34).   

In girls Class A distance events, Cotter ninth grader Grace Ping won the 1,600 (4:57.86) and placed second in the 3,200 (10:38.96).

Wayzata senior Khalid Hussein helped guide his team to a 2A state title by winning the 1,600 meters (4:13.3) and 3,200 meters (9:07.88).

The Hopkins boys 4x200 relay team of Jaylen Champion, King Allah, Sam Leervig, and Joe Fahnbulleh, ran 1:26.37 to break Eagan's 2015 state record.

In the field, Mounds View junior Julia Fixsen reset her own state pole vault record, clearing 13-9.25.

In the Class A sprints, Minneapolis North senior T’Nia Riley swept the 100 (11.84) and 200 (24.44), both meet records.

The A boys 4x100 Southwest Christian relay team of Isaiah Colman, Josiah Coleman, Alexander DuMoulin and Zach Ertel ran 42.88 to break a meet record.

Freshman Nyalaam Jok of Annandale cleared 5-9 to win the Class A high jump.

In the boys wheelchair events, Lewiston-Altura freshman Peyton Gunnarson won the 100 (17.1) and 200 (30.86), both meet records.

Team Champions

Class 2A -- Wayzata boys 75; Minnetonka girls 63

Class A -- Pequot Lakes boys 39 point; The Blake School girls 46 points