One ADM boys track athlete is officially finished with his Drake Relays experience and the other Tiger competes this afternoon.
Senior Jesse Bennett competed in his signature shot put event yesterday morning, finishing 21st out of the top 24 athletes who qualified for the event from around the state. Bennett’s best throw was 45’6.75”, and while it wasn’t his top effort of the year, head coach Mike Whisner says he was just encouraged to see Bennett throwing at all, given his recent injury problems.
With yesterday’s performance in the books, Whisner says he does expect Bennett to be at full strength for the remainder of the season.
The other ADM boys track athlete competing at Drake is senior hurdler Tate Jensen, who qualified with the seventh fastest time in the state in the 400 meter hurdles.
Coach Whisner says pacing is the key for Jensen this afternoon.
“One of the biggest things is it’s just such an adrenaline rush to run here, and those first four hurdles–that first 200–you tend to give it a little too much gas, you’re on the top of your game running fast, but then when you get to (hurdles) eight, nine and 10, it’s like there is nothing left in the tank. So, you’ve got to go out strong that first 200, but you’ve got to have a little bit of a pace. I know everybody says to go as fast as you can, but if you don’t have anything to get over those last two or three hurdles that just kills your time.”
Jensen is scheduled to run in the boys’ high school 400 meter hurdles at 1:43 this afternoon inside Drake Stadium.
Tune-in to Monday’s sports for full results from ADM’s boys and girls’ track performances at the Drake Relays.