#36 - Kessler & Fisher On Fire!

Inside This Issue

• Kessler 3:48.66!

• Fisher 8:03.62!

• More Millrose Action

• More State Records

• Indoor Round-Up

• How Our Marathoners Did

• Who Has Run The Most Sub-4:00s?

• College Signings

• Interview: TJ Hansen

• Little Things

Kessler Breaks 3:50!

Hobbs Kessler, still just 20, became the second American man in history to break the 3:50 barrier in the mile indoors, running 3:48.66 to place 2nd to American Record holder Yared Nuguse at the Millrose Games.

“I knew I was going to run right around there. I wanted to win,” he said. “I have a little bit more under my belt and a little more confidence.”

Kessler showed that confidence once again by zipping to the front to tuck in behind favored Nuguse from the start. He never faltered in running the torrid pace the frontrunner set, hitting 440y splits of 55.91 and 56.68 (1:52.58 at half). Nuguse backed off a bit in the third quarter, and Kessler split 59.35 (2:51.91) there. At the bell he had to deal with Britain’s George Mills trying to move up awkwardly, but he sprinted past Mills on the last stretch for the runner-up finish. His last quarter took 56.73. He passed 1500 in 3:34.04.

From a Michigan perspective, that’s the fastest mile ever indoors or outdoors, topping the 3:52.03 that Morgan Beadlescomb ran exactly 2 years earlier in Chicago. That 1500 is the No. 2 indoor time ever, after Kessler’s own 3:33.66 from last week. Most importantly, the mile time gives Kessler the Olympic qualifying standard, which can come in pretty handy around Olympic Trials time.

Fisher Breaks AR At 2 Miles

If you perhaps thought that Grant Fisher’s Olympic prospects were heading down the tubes after he left Nike’s Bowerman TC, think again. The American Record holder at 5K & 10K added the 2-mile standard to his resume in placing 2nd at Millrose to World 1500 champ Josh Kerr.

Fisher put himself behind the pacesetter early on and when the rabbit stepped off after 1000m, took over the frontrunning, a brave move that kept the records in sight and something that Kerr publicly thanked him for later. Kerr broke the World Record with his 8:00.67, and Fisher’s 8:03.62 sliced 3.79 from Galen Rupp’s 8:07.41. Fisher now stands at No. 3 on the All-Time World List. His mark is also faster than Matt Tegenkamp’s outdoor AR of 8:07.07.

“I wanted to see where the legs were at… It took a World Record to win. I thought I did a good job.” He added that he will be racing the 5000 next weekend at the Terrier DMR meet on the fast BU track.

Since no post-high schooler from Michigan has run a significant 2-mile in 40 years, that’s an easy alumni record, destroying the 8:29.2 that Adrian alum Dan Heikkinen ran in 1982. Along the way, Fisher grabbed two more Michigan marks. The 2000 is not a common distance, but we keep track of it because it’s an official World Record distance. The Grand Blanc alum passed that post in 5:01.66, breaking the 5:04.24 that Hobbs Kessler split in his 3000 in Boston last year. That also makes him No. 8 in U.S. history at that distance. Then at 3000, Fisher went by in 7:30.88, beating his own indoor 7:35.82 that he ran in France last year. He goes to No. 3 on the All-Time U.S. List with that.

His 440y splits:
61.26
61.90 (2:02.70)
60.22 (3:02.92)
60.45 (4:03.37)
59.95 (5:02.32)
59.52 (6:02.83)
60.56 (7:03.39)
60.24

But Wait, There’s More!

Cindy Sember took 5th in the Millrose hurdles in 7.91—that’s just 0.02 off her PR and the fastest she’s run in three years. That’s a very good sign for the Ann Arbor Huron/Michigan alum (you may remember her as Cindy Ofili).

TJ Hansen impressed in the Millrose high school mile. After taking over the race after 1000, he finished 2nd. His time of 4:05.87 was quite notable, especially when you take into account that he’s a junior at Freeland High School. He broke the 11th grade state indoor record of 4:09.46 that Grant Fisher set at the New Balance Nationals in 2014. He passed 1600m in 4:04.28, breaking the 4:08.2 that Fisher split in his mile race. And his official 1500 time of 3:48.95 smashed the 11th grade record of 3:54.0 that Dathan Ritzenhein split in winning the MITCA title in 2000.

And More State Records

Brooke Bowers did it again! Jumping on Day One of Grand Valley’s Big Meet, the Forest Hills senior cleared 13-8.25 to break her own state indoor record in the vault. She ended up placing 3rd, behind veteran Kristen Leland (14-8) and D2 phenomenon Brynn King of Roberts Wesleyan (14-2). Videos of Brooke’s big jump can be found on Instagram. Her series: 11-8.5 (1), 12-2.5 (1), 12-8.25 (3), 13-2.25 (1), 13-8.25 (3), 14-2 (xxx). Her last attempt at 14-2 was excellent—indicating that new records may be coming.

Another state record fell the previous weekend, but you can be forgiven if you didn’t notice. The 2000m steeplechase indoors is the rarest of events, but it is kind of fun. The only place we’ve seen it contested is at Central Michigan—with no water jump, obviously. And we keep track of it like we keep track of most things*. Layla Jordan, the Flushing/All About Speed athlete who has run 2:13.71 for 800 indoors, took 8.18 off the record with her 7:34.76. BTW, the 2000 steeple is run outdoors (it’s an official event in New York). The national outdoor record is a very fast 6:18.41.
(*OK, another reason is that an athlete I coached held the previous record!)

Indoor Round-Up

A quick look at the highlights from various MITS meets around the state (full meet results can be found by clicking on meet name):

Aquinas #3 (February 3): Nice 7.03/22.99 sprint double by Benjamin Boehm. Garrett Weeden won the shot at 55-0 and Brock Furgison the high jump at 6-2. The Pace Pushers won the girls 4×8 in 9:58.71. Brooke Bowers vaulted 12-10.

LAB #7 (February 3): Shamar Heard blistered the 200 in a list-leading 21.35. Matthew Canales won the 800 in 1:56.89. Pioneer frosh Kamari Ronfeldt took the 1600 in 4:22.13. A fast 3200 saw Evan Loughridge (9:08.37) and Paul Moore (9:12.52) move to the top of the list. Braylon Petty (9:25.64) ran 3rd, just ahead of Ronfeldt’s 9:25.69. In the relays, Elite Performance XL ran 3:25.08 in the 4×4 and the A2 TC hit 3:38.85 in the sprint medley. Mason Mayne became the 14th 60-footer in state indoor shot put history with his 60-0.25. Quincy Isaac took over the long jump lead with his 22-8.5.

Track Life dominated the girls 60 with Jayla Graham (7.73) and Jayla Dace (7.75). Lyndsey Johnson took the 200 at 25.03 and the hurdles in 8.89. Eighth-grader Janae Coleman won a deep 800 in 2:14.57, Valerie Beeck 2nd in 2:16.36. In a 1600 battle of frosh, Anyla Robinson caught Kaylie Livingston, 4:59.93-5:00.95. Janae Hudson threw the shot 42-1.5. Rylan Finstrom hit 133-2 in the discus. Allison Shelton vaulted 12-1.

CMU (February 4): The Mt Pleasant event came back for the first time since 2020. Drew Novak sprinted 6.97 and Jackson Gee dominated the 200 at 22.37. In the boys steeplechase, Nolan Pinion ran 6:18.32, the No. 2 time in state history after Cole Johnson’s 6:17.06. Kennedy Galy won the girls 200 in 26.11. Susie Schultz cleared 5-6. And we talked about Layla Jordan’s state record steeple above.

SVSU Distance Fest (February 10): The 800 was a sizzler, with Brendan Herger closing in 1:52.41, well ahead of Owen Patton’s 1:54.68. Ten guys broke 1:57! Thomas Westphal (4:17.32) took the mile from Logan Mullan (4:17.91) and Vincent Guaresimo (4:18.19). Westphal doubled back for the 3200 win in 9:26.50. The 5000—this is the only place Michigan kids can get a fast track time—saw 8 go under 15:30, led by Logan Begeman (15:07.97) and Braylon Petty (15:10.85). Relay wins went to Six Mile TC (8:01.59) and Jackalopes (10:23.40).

The girls produced great times too. Jessie Jazwinski ripped 2:11.29 in the 800 to top Madison Osterberg (2:14.35). Morgan Brown (4:59.64) edged Elena Figueroa (5:00.05) in the mile. Ava Schafer won the 3200 in 10:43.80, and Lillian Deskins took the 5000 in 18:08.81 from Mary Richmond (18:14.18) and Laney Alig (18:17.95). Spirit of Pre won the 4×8 (9:57.19). Canadians took the DMR, with Degeneration X 2nd in 12:54.03.

Aquinas #4 (February 10): In the girls long jump, both Nyla Reed and Sohanny Gonzalez-Castillo hit 17-3. Kendell Wilcox high jumped 5-4. In the DMR, the West Michigan Harriers ran 12:50.11. Liam Takace won the boys weight at 59-1.75.

LAB #8 (February 10): Evan Watson won the sprint double in 6.91/21.61. Cameron Cheetam covered 400 in 49.10 (and 200 in 21.97). Aiden Moore took the 800 in 1:58.05. Zacchaeus Brocks hurdled 8.10 to Schmar Gamble’s 8.12. Quincy Isaac long jumped 22-1 and Preston Kelsey took over the state lead in the triple jump at 41-9.25.

Kamryn Tatum won the girls 60 in 7.63. Lyndsay Johnson took the 400 in 57.67 and the hurdles in 9.09. Ninth-grader Addyson Stiverson won the shot over Abigail Russell, 42-11 to 41-10.75. Russell took the discus at 129-6. The long jump went to Kaitlyn Molnar with an 18-4.

2024 Michigan HS Elite Lists - Boys - Girls

Who’s Competing In Albuquerque?

This Friday and Saturday is the USATF Indoor Championships, held again in New Mexico and watchable on usatf.tv and NBC. The top two finishers in each event (provided they’ve met the standard) will be eligible to compete at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in March.

You’ve already heard that Hobbs Kessler will be competing in the 1500. Here’s the complete list, including their high schools.

w60-Anavia Battle (Wayne Memorial)
w400-Taylor Manson (East Lansing)
wPV-Kristen Leland (Remus Chippewa Hills)
wPV-Gabriela Leon (East Kentwood)
m60-Mason Phillips (Salem)
m1500-Hobbs Kessler (Ann Arbor Skyline)
m3000-Morgan Beadlescomb (Algonac)
m60H-Freddie Crittenden (Utica)
mPV-Trevor Stephenson (East Kentwood)
mTJ-Isaiah Griffith (Detroit East English)
mSP-Myles Kerner (GR Ottawa Hills)

Follow Live Results here.

How Our Marathoners Did

A quick recap of the Michigan HS alumni who competed in the Olympic Trials Marathon, and how they finished. Note that Nathan Martin’s 7th-place finish is the best by a MI HS alumni since Dathan Ritzenhein’s 4th in 2012.

MEN

7-Nathan Martin (Three Rivers) 2:11:00
33-Alan Peterson (Ironwood) 2:16:55
36-Ben Kendell (Royal Oak Shrine) 2:17:23
66-Michael Blaszczyk (Novi) 2:20:49
71-Prescott Leach (East Jordan) 2:21:07
79-Mitchell Klingler (Bronson) 2:21:55
84-Joost Plaetinck (Novi) 2:22:19
99-Ryan Jara (Walled Lake Northern) 2:23:37
146-Zachary Ripley (GR Northview) 2:47:38
DNF-Andrew Bowman (Marlette) (10M - 52:29)

WOMEN

53-Libby Bigelow (Whitehall) 2:38:34
81-Megan O’Neil (Remus Chippewa Hills) 2:42:51
82-Ann Marie Pierce (Sturgis) 2:43:04
89-Jennifer Pope (Pinckney) 2:43:55
DNF-Kelli Smith (GR NorthPointe Christian) (6M-36:27)
DNF-Brittney Hall (Utica) (8M-49:39)

Who Has Run The Most Sub-4:00s?

Once upon a time, the 4:00 barrier in the mile was the pinnacle of our sport. When Roger Bannister first broke the barrier in 1954, that was enough to make him the first-ever Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Nowadays—especially with super shoes in the mix—breaking 4:00 no longer means world-class. In fact, it’s been years since a 3:59.99 has qualified an athlete for the NCAA D1 Indoor Championships. Looking at this year’s NCAA list, the No. 92 spot (a looong way from qualifying) is currently held by New Mexico’s Sam Field at exactly 3:59.99. It used to be that many of us track nuts could recite from memory the list of high schoolers who had broken 4:00, and give you the times and details! I may be wrong, but I can’t imagine anyone deranged enough to memorize the current list, which is at 21 at this writing.

However, the sub-4:00 barrier is still fun! I have been blessed to announce four such races this year alone, and every time I have felt the excitement in the crowd. And while I can’t speak for all the runners, I think for many, it’s a very cool box to check off.

This all leads to the question: among Michigan HS alumni, who has broken 4:00 the most? That honor, with 17, goes to the late, great Paul McMullen. He started in 1995 and kept racking them up through 2004, long after the accident that cost him some toes and made it all much more challenging. The most he did in one year was 5 (1998). His nearest challenger is not Hobbs Kessler, but Pioneer alum Nick Foster, who is now at 8, with 3 this year alone. Here’s the full list:

16   Paul McMullen (Cadillac)
8    Nick Foster (Ann Arbor Pioneer)
7    Liam Boyan-Pett (Bath)
6    Hobbs Kesser (Ann Arbor Skyline)
4    Morgan Beadlescomb (Algonac)
3    Michael Atchoo (Troy)
3    Brian Hyde (East Kentwood)
3    Steve Sherer (Saline)
2    Earl Jones (Taylor Center)
2    Carter Solomon (Plymouth)
1    Benne Anderson (Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills)
1    Donavan Brazier (Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills)
1    Dan Clark (Jackson Lumen Christi)
1    Jordan Desilets (Lake Orion)
1    Brian Diemer (Grand Rapids South Christian)
1    Gerard Donakowski (Dearborn Heights Riverside)
1    Tom Duits (Hastings)
1    Elmar Engholm (Plymouth)
1    Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc)
1    Dan Heikkinen (Adrian)
1    Shane Knoll (Warren Mott)
1    Greg Meyer
1    Mike Michno (Inkster Cherry Hill)
1    Connor Mora (Cedar Springs)
1    John Petruno (Walled Lake Western)
1    Derek Scott (Grand Rapids Northview)
1    Justin Switzer (Waterford Kettering)
1    Lex Williams (Dexter)

On the michtrack.org website is a list that shows every race. Click here.

College Signings

If you know of one that wasn’t previously reported here, please let us know! [email protected]. This has been a feature since issue #28. To check back issues, go here.

• Claire Adams (Rockford) - Central Michigan

• Stellamia Aerts (Grand Haven) - Albion

• Ava Butera (Grand Traverse Academy) - Kalamazoo College

• Blake Ferguson (Yale) - Ferris State

• Andrew Floros (Clarkston) - Central Michigan

• Lance Helfer (Shepherd) - Mid-Michigan College

• Mason Jett (Ann Arbor Skyline) - Kalamazoo College

• Brandon Penberthy (L’Anse Creuse North) - Macomb

• Elliott Sirianni (Clio) - Grand Valley

• Tyler VanderZanden (Hart) - Kalamazoo College

• Ethan Wilkie (Romeo) - Ohio Northern

• Lauren Wooten (Grand Blanc) - Wayne State

Michtrack Interview: TJ Hansen

Freeland’s TJ Hansen has always been a bit ahead of the curve in running. He started getting noticed statewide as a middle schooler, breaking 4:40 for 1600. In his first high school season at Freeland, he clocked 15:49 in cross country and finished 12th in D2. That spring, he placed 5th in the D2 3200, running 9:21.26. A few weeks later, over the full 2-mile distance at Nike Outdoor Nationals, his 9:28.39 set a state 9th-grade record. As a sophomore he improved to 15:41 and placed 5th at MIS. On the track, he cut his 3200 best to 9:11.56 in winning his first D2 title.

The Junior Year version of TJ Hansen is another beast entirely. He won 13 of 14 cross country races, taking the D2 title with his 14:52.8, a time that places him among the all-time greats on the MIS course. He ran 14:50.9 for 4th at NXR Midwest, then placed 10th at the NXN Nationals. Indoors, he’s been tearing it up at the mile, with oversized clockings of 4:07.99 and 4:08.06, plus a 4:10.79 on the banks in Chicago. That got him invited to the prestigious Millrose Games boys mile, where he ran to 2nd place in 4:05.87, a state indoor record for 11th graders, breaking a Grant Fisher standard.

Michtrack: Let’s start with a congratulations for Millrose. It was a heck of a race. Were you happy with it?

Hansen: Yeah, I was, I was pleased with the time, but a little disappointed not to come away with the win.

Michtrack: What would you do differently if you could do it over again?

Hansen: I probably would've maybe waited to pass maybe until bell lap. I was feeling good in the moment, getting some energy off the crowd. You know, there's about 5,000 people packed in the Armory, so I was feeling good, but the smart move, looking back, probably would've been to wait till around 200 to go, to make the final pass and surge ahead and put myself in a better position to come up with the win.

Michtrack: Were you happy with the time?

Hansen: Yeah, I was really pleased with the time. 4:05 is great. I just wanna keep building off of that though, so to have about over a two second PR in the mile for where I'm at right now, I'm very pleased with that and seeing my progression.

Michtrack: What's coming up for you on your schedule?

Hansen: I have a two-mile race next week at Notre Dame. State meet, then New Balance Nationals—that'll wrap up my indoor season.

Michtrack: Have you been happy overall with your indoor season? Has it matched the goals you set out so far?

Hansen: I'd say so far I'm about on track with what I want to do. But obviously I want to keep building and get better. I haven't reached my goals yet, so I'm going to want more, I want to build more. So just working harder, moving forward, trying to improve.

Michtrack: Time-wise, are you one of those guys that's motivated and chasing after the sub-4:00 mile?

Hansen: I'd say four minutes is my big goal for this outdoor season, and it's something I'm definitely gonna be attacking, for sure.

Michtrack: How did you feel about the last cross country season?

Hansen: I was really happy with my overall improvement. I felt like that was a big breakthrough for me that I really needed for confidence moving forward. I had a new coaching change and my new coach this year, coach [Matt] Kaczor has been great, loves working with me, adapting with me and seeing my improvement. So I'm, I've been really pleased this year with how cross went and just really excited to move forward.

Michtrack: What kind of training are you doing these days?

Hansen: Nothing real crazy. Especially for what guys of my caliber are doing, I'd say I'm pretty low mileage. I really focus on my hard days and make those quality over quantity, that’s the best way to put it. Then making my easy days focus on recovery and just get my body right so I can perform.

Michtrack: Yours is a name I've been seeing for years, breaking all kinds of records, age group records and such, along the way. When did you get started?

Hansen: I'd say it was probably about three years old growing up. Kind of sparked a low interest into it, three or five years old. Saw my older sisters doing it growing up, so I guess that sparked a little interest in it. I didn't fully commit to running till I was maybe in fifth or sixth grade. That's when I stopped all other sports because I kind realized my potential and where I wanted to go with it.

Michtrack: I'm sure you're already hearing from recruiters. How is that going?

Hansen: The college process has been overall pretty good. A little overwhelming, a little stressful at times, but right now, I’m just narrowing it down, trying to figure out what school would be the best fit for me.

Michtrack: Speaking of best fits, what event do you think ultimately is your best event?

Hansen: Honestly, I don't even know. Right now, I feel like I've been smart in not fully committing to one event. Right now, I'm not even focusing on one event. I've been running two miles, running 800s, just working on all different platforms just to see where I can improve to overall just become a better runner.

Little Things

Pole Vault Clinic: A chance to learn from some of the best on March 2 at the Vault Barn Camp. Details here.

RIP Donald Anderson: A legend in Detroit sprinting (and football), Anderson reportedly passed away February 6. For Detroit Cody he won state Class A titles in all three sprints. He was the only Cody player to ever make it in the NFL, after playing at Purdue. He coached football for many years in Detroit. Funeral details.

Michtrack Results Archive: Your source for the old results that you can’t find anywhere else. Soon to go over the 10,000 mark, thanks to the many people who have scanned old results and sent them. Check out the Archive!

Past Issues of the Michtrack Newsletter: Can be found here.

The Michigan Track & Field Hall of Fame: A work in progress. See where we are.

Michtrack Books:
XC! High School Cross Country in Michigan 1921-2020

The Fleet Feet of Spring: Michigan's High School State Championships in Track & Field

The 100 Greatest Track & Field Battles of the 20th Century

How to Race the Mile: Learning Effective Tactics from Great Runners and Races

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