page 26 [sports]
TRACK RECORD
Foreign-exchange student’s times, nationally ranked in Germany, have a lot of people expecting big things from the boys’ track team
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fall, but even that didn’t account for the road mileage he season, Kresinszky is completely confident in their ability would have been expected to cover had he remained in the and willingness to work with him—both to help him improve Fatherland. and to keep him healthy. But in spite of being a phenomenal athlete, Kresinszky is “I like [Distance Coach Trisha Beaham] and Coach adamant that running isn’t his Meschke a lot,” Kresinszky said. top priority. It certainly isn’t the “They have been really nice to me reason he came to America. and helped me, and they seem “I obviously did not come really excited for the season.” here to run,” Kresinszky said. But the coaches aren’t the only “I came to America to meet Here’s a quick look at the times Kresinszky will ones excited to see Robin run. new people and learn about a Toward the end of the cross-country have to deal with if he wants to win state different life.” season in November, Meschke was It is this willingness to amazed and delighted to notice venture out of his comfort zone the small pockets of spectators that prompted Kresinszky’s beginning to gather at the chain Keron Toussaint, Lawrence Free State link fence above the track, hoping decision to spend a year in America. His decision to catch a glimpse of the German Robin Kresinszky, SM East was influenced as well by prodigy tearing through track that of his older sister Zara workouts. Aryan Long, Olathe North Kresinszky, who lived for a “They couldn’t believe [how year in Indiana under the same fast he was],” Meschke said. “They foreign exchange program. By just stood there and watched. It’s spending 2006-2007 stateside, absolutely awesome to see an Robin has chosen to sacrifice example of a runner like Robin Jake Stecklein, Maize a year of his schooling in pulling so many people into the Germany, not to mention a sport. It’s exciting, and it’s exactly Robin Kresinszky, SM East critical 12 months of track what we need.” training. Meschke tries not to dwell on the Mitch Hunter, Garden City For this reason, the one truth of the matter that Robin will person who wasn’t so keen only be at East for a year. In fact, Connor Allison, Manhattan on Robin’s decision to study she tries not to focus on anything abroad was his coach Chrsten *-projected, all other times were run at further down the road than May the 2006 state meet Roemer. Roemer’s experience 25-- the first day of the state track with previous runners who tournament. had spent time in the States “The fact is that Robin being was that many returned home injured—products of poor here is a gift,” Meschke said. “A one year gift. And we will coaching and over-exertion. definitely take what we got.” But having gotten to know several of the East running coaches, including Meschke, during the cross-country
TIMES TO BEAT
the
by [foster tidwell]
With the track season beginning in a little over a week, Head Coach Brie Meschke is looking to build off the momentum of last year’s third place finish at state. With the help of German foreign exchange student Robin Kresinszky, the team’s prospects of pulling off a blitzkrieg at state this May look particularly promising. “I was shocked when [his] coach in Germany sent me a packet showing his times,” Meschke said. “They are absolutely unbelievable for someone his age.” At the age of only 16, Kresinszky has already snagged two North German Championship titles in the 800 meter, as well as a third place title in the 400 meter for his age group. According to Meschke, Kresinszky’s time in the 800 (sub 1:57) would have landed him second at state last year, and his sub 50 second 400 times will easily place him at the top of the team in that event as well. Meschke is confident that Kresinszky is just what East needs to fill the void left by the graduation of star runner John McCormick. She is quick to point out the critical role of dominant athletes in addition to the solid team base that East is already returning from last year. “If you look at the teams that win state, most all of them have at least one superstar in some event,” Meschke said. “Usually one or two.” And with junior Terrance Thomas returning from last year with the state title in the 100 meter, it appears as if Kresinszky will complete the one-two running punch that could propel East to its first ever boys track championship. But Kresinszky is reluctant to look that far ahead. Right now, he insists on enjoying the luxuries of the American off season—the Coca-Cola, the free time and especially the Sonic hamburgers—that will soon be off limits. “I like Sonic the best,” Kresinszky said. “But McDonalds is good too. America has made me love fast food.” Compared with his running—not to mention eating— regimen in Germany, training in the States has been a breeze. Running in Berlin is year round—there are two track seasons and two cross-country seasons, and athletes practice around six times a week. Robin ran cross-country for East in the
photo by karen boomer
an impressive...
6A 400 Meter Dash
49.27 <50.00* 50.32
6A 800 Meter Dash
1:56.56 <1:57.00 1:59.64 2:01.36
Spring SporTS Begin Monday 26
Boys Varsity Wrestling
S T A T E
Championship Meet Fri 23 - Sat 24