Jocelyn Minton at Dempsey
Hundreds of top track and field athletes crowded their way into the Dempsey Indoor facility on Saturday to take part in the 2008 UW Indoor Preview. Intended as a college Indoor track and field indoor preview, the Dempsy Preview has become an inter- season stop off for many high school athletes.
Washington State does not host an indoor winter track season and the Dempsey meets have served to keep the regions’ high school athletes tuned for the spring season.
This Saturdays' contest did however have a noticeable absence of many of the top names in High School running.
For those who did show up, the trip was worthwhile.
Jocelyn Minton of NW Christian (Lacey) ran in the Mile. She was the only high school athlete in the heats and accepted the challenge and privilege with eager enthusiasm. Her plan was to step up to the college crowd, hang with the top runners and take serious inventory of just what she had.
Specifically, the plan was to go out with the lead pack, surge on lap 3 and hang on and finish no lower than 5th.
In her heat she did just that, 5th place, tenth over all heats. Jocelyn posted a 5:13 . This pre-season time should announce her as the runner to watch in the upcoming spring outdoor season. This mile time was a good 2 seconds faster than her 1st place e time at the State meet1600 last year and a respectable nod to her 5:10 mile time posted at the Brooks Meet of Champions at the end of the 2007 season.
For a runner to post this kind of time in the middle of winter high mileage training indicates a promise of a fast and impressive spring season.
This performance should open the eyes of the other runners who chose to pass on this meet.
Jocelyn Minton made headlines last year at the State track meet, she ran in four events, placing first in the 800, 1600 and 3200 and was personally responsible for 33 of the52 points here team earned to place first in the 2b division.
Her goals have always been high, a bit too high she says, but surprisingly she has meet them. Deliberate training, drive and hard work is stacking up to allow this athlete to deliver the season heralded with last years’ track performances and this years’ 1st place XC win, 19:14 , a full 22 seconds ahead of the number 2 runner. Lisa Vandenberg of NW Christian, Colvile.
Joceyln has opened her final High School track season as an athlete in control, able and eager to embrace the challenge and responsibility of one of Washington State’s top female athletes.
Jocelyn Minton will be competing at the Simplot games this Feb14-15-16, in Pocatello, Idaho.
For information, results and sign up instructions for the upcoming UW Open Meet on Feb 17th
For information , scheduling and sign up instructions for the Simplot Games
