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Looking to make in-season strides

By Tom Schardin, 03/26/15, 9:00PM CDT

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The Prior Lake boys track team hopes to make continual strides this spring to be at peak performance for the big meets.

That would be the Section 3AAA True Team, South Suburban Conference, Section 3AA and Class AA state competitions.

The Lakers have both of their state medal winners back from last year - seniors Eric Dols and Desmond Deshay - and a solid core backing them up.

Can the Lakers finish in the top three in the SSC and Section 3AA? Can they earn a first-ever berth in the Class 3A State True Team?

"We have three elite athletes," said Lakers coach Ken Klamm. "How we can build around them will determine our success at true team sections. Overall, we are young and I believe we will get better as the season progresses.

"With the addition of Shakopee and Farmington, the SSC became even stronger," said Klamm. "It's hard to gauge where we’ll fit in for conference, but we strive to be a top-three conference program each year."

Dols is a two-time state qualifier. In the Section 3AA meet last year, he threw a 57-0 to break his own school record. However, he couldn't match that throw at state, finishing eighth with a toss of 52-6.

Dols was ninth in both the discus and shot put as a sophomore. Last fall, he suffered a knee injury in the first game of the football season and missed the rest of the year.

So is he healthy for track?

"His knee is fine right now," said Klamm. "He's throwing around a ton of weight on his Olympic weights. He's a great kid and a great leader. It really hurt us this year not having him for football."

Meanwhile, Deshay had a break-through performance on the track last year, finishing seventh in the 200 meters at state. He'll lead the Lakers' sprints and will be a part of the relays.

Sophomore Colin Dwyer also brings state experience - on the track and in cross county. He was 14th in the 800 at state last year and part of the 4x800 relay that finished 12th.

Last fall, Dwyer helped lead the Prior Lake boys cross country team to its first state team berth since 1993, winning the Section 3AA title. The team was eighth at state.

Junior Trenton Galloway was also on the 4x800 relay last year and was part of section champion cross country team. But a foot injury has put his track season in jeopardy.

Seniors Ben Garrison and Aiden Resh were also part of the state cross country team, so they'll help the Lakers in the distance events and could be part of that 4x800 relay.

In the sprints, seniors Johnny Whaley and Stefan Prince and juniors Luke Bednarek, Jake Simonson and Logan Petersmeyer all figure into the mix. Whaley, Simonson, Petersmeyer and senior Deshonn Brown are expected to lead the way in the jumps, long, triple and high.

Senior Tom Dobberpuhl and juniors Keegan Bloedel and Devyonn Brown will lead the hurdle crew. Senior Jake Ryan is back in the throws to help Dols.

The Lakers finished tied for 44th overall in the state team standings last year. The team was third in both the Section 3AAA True Team and Section 3AA meet last spring.

Prior Lake's first outdoor competition this spring is its own invite April 7 at 4:15 p.m. The Lakers are in the Shakopee Relays April 16 at 3:30 p.m.