With the 2009 track season coming to an end, many athletes are trying to pull out a state qualifying time at this up coming section meet. As many would think, if during the season you ran a qualifying time you would be eligible to compete in the state meet, well thats not the case in minnesota. Minnesota is just one of the four states in the U.S. that requires you to run a qualifying time at the section meet and not during the season. I went out to get the inside scoop of what people thought of this rule.

Just for reference these are the Minnesota state highschool qualifying times:

Boys AA
100m Dash
0:11.15
200m Dash
0:22.67
400m Dash
0:49.74
800m Run
1:55.88
1600m Run
4:17.64
3200m Run
9:21.72
110m High Hurdles
0:15.28
300m Hurdles
0:40.71
4x100m Relay
0:43.35
4x200m Relay
1:30.18
4x400m Relay
3:24.30
4x800m Relay
7:58.60
High Jump
6'5"
Pole Vault
13'11"
Long Jump
21'9"
Triple Jump
44'8"
Shot Put
54'4"
Discus Throw
153'9"






I went out and intervied former Eastview student and track and field record holder, Carter Stanton. Carter finished his 2005 school year with an amazing track season. He now holds the school record for the 300m hurdles with a time of 39.83. This time easily qualifys for the state meet, but the only problem is that he never ran that time at the section meet, but instead at Conference finals. Therfore the time meant nothing, and did not qualify him for the 05 state meet. All he had to do was run that same time at the section meet but instead he tripped on a hurdle and ran a 40.72, .01 away from the state qualify time.

"I think it is completly pointless to have to run a qualifying time at the section meet and not during the year, hence why almost all other states dont have this dumb rule" Carter muttered in anger.

" I dont see the point of having to run a certain time at a specific meet, if you run a qualifying time why would you have to do it more than once? It is a really stupid rule that needs to be changed" exclaimed senior Brandon Peterson.

Now knowing what high school athletes think of this rule, I went out to see what Eastview High Schools head track coach thought of this. " I understand where the MSHSL is coming from with this rule, they are trying to cut down the number of kids that are eligible for the State meet to cut down time on the meet. Although, i dont think it is fair for the kids to make them run a time on a certian day, I personally think this should be changed." Swanson explained.

Now knowing what athletes and coaches think of this rule, i would not be suprised that in the follwing years it changes. Come out and support the Eastview boys track team at Mcalister college this tueday at their section meet.