Kansas is the new Tracktown USA?📍
Sorry Eugene, Kansas as a whole has got you beat🤷♂️
Chesney Peterson: fastest girl in Kansas🌻
Chesney Peterson, a junior at Stanton County may just be the fastest runner in Kansas right now, plus she has the statistics to back her up. As of right now, she owns the fastest times among all classifications in the 400m, 1600m, and 3200m, and she is the second fastest in the 800m. As of today (05/06), Peterson has PR’d in the 400m, 800m, and 3200m running 57.52, 2:15.61, 10:45.05. As I mention in some of the questions I asked her, Peterson has some pretty impressive accolades for someone who didn’t even have her freshman track season. Since her freshman cross country season, where she won 3 out of her 7 races, the Stanton County star has won 51 of 52 races, with her only loss coming at the Trials of Miles Kansas City Qualifier 1600m. She took 3rd in that race, behind Riley Beach, a current freshman at Iowa State, and Anjali Hocker-Singh, an Olathe North sophomore with already three state titles to her name. Besides that, Peterson has been invincible, winning races ranging from 400m to 5000m. Along the way, she’s set PR’s at every single distance she has ran, including 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and 5000m. Needless to say, Peterson is an all-around stud and can quite honestly run any event she wants and would see a lot of success.
1. Your freshman year you saw almost immediate success, you won three races, and placed 2nd in three. Did you expect to adjust that well to the high school level so fast?
I have always loved to compete since I started racing in 7th grade. By the time I had finished 8th grade, I was excited and ready to compete in high school. My sister competed in both the 2018 and 2019 State track meets, and I remember being so envious of all the girls racing, but in a very positive way. I wanted to be out there among them competing on the big stage too. I had a lot of confidence going into races at the beginning of high school knowing that I was just a 14 year old freshman girl competing against girls that were all older and more experienced than me. I had nothing to lose. I had the privilege of being on a very competitive team my freshman year. This helped me push to not only want to be the top individual at meets, but also help my team place first. I got to experience something bigger than just me at the beginning of my high school running career. I was running for the success of my team first and foremost. At the time, I don’t think I was worried about adjusting to high school running. I think my main concern was just getting better and giving my best effort each and every race; consequently, success came and my times went down.
2. After Covid-19 canceled your freshman track season, you’ve won 51 of 52 races in both cross country and track. How did the extended off-season change your attitude towards running (if at all), and how did you train for your sophomore year?
My freshman track season getting cancelled was definitely a let down, but, looking back, I think it was a blessing in disguise. I never fully got to address or get over what happened my freshman year at State cross country in Wamego. I had led the entire race. With just the home stretch to go, I blacked out. After a couple minutes down, I was able to somehow gather myself and crawl my way into the finish for my team. This was not how I’d imagined my season ending. I not only almost lost a state title for my team, but also I took one possibly away from myself, along with an all-state finish. I think I had some unfinished business in cross country after that happened, and the best way for me to get over that experience was to have another cross country season. The cancellation of that track season allowed me to run for fun and learn to enjoy running for more than just racing. I would say I trained for my sophomore season very eagerly. I was eager to prove to myself that I could do it. I wanted to be the best, and the only way to do that was to work hard and trust in the training every time I stepped to the line from that race forward.
3. You are without a doubt one of the fastest athletes in the state, from the 400m-5000m. If you had to pick between mid-distance (400m-1600m) or long distance (1600m-5000m), which would you choose and why?
This is a question that I find so difficult to answer. I am very competitive and motivated in any race I compete in, but I’m going to have to go with mid-distance. I decided to go with mid-distance because I truly love to run fast. I’ve always taken out quickly in any race I’ve ever ran in, whether it be a 5k or 400m. I have a love for every race I run, but I can see myself specializing in the shorter races as I continue running after high school.
4. You’ve won five state titles, set records, and have won 92% of your high school races. What is your most memorable moment you’ve experienced in the sport?
My most memorable moment so far would have to be when I crossed the line in the 4x4 at state last May. Seeing the excitement on the faces of my teammates after we had just won was something I will never forget. I had already raced and won the 1600, 3200, and the 800, but the 4x4 was the absolute best. WE had done it, and I was so happy that my tired legs were able to carry me through till the very end.
5. Is their a professional runner or athlete that you look up to? If there is, why do you look up to them?
I’ve always looked up to alumni female runners from my high school. I am Trojan proud! I’m blessed to run for Stanton County, which has produced a long line of great female athletes over the years. I’m very honored to follow in Dodie Martin’s footsteps, especially. I admire her not only for her numerous achievements but also for the positive legacy she left at my school. My coaches frequently preach on her work ethic and character. I aspire to her level of humble greatness and hope to leave a legacy of my own in the future.
6. Have you thought at all about running in college? Is there a dream program/school that you would love to be a part of?
Yes, I have thought about running in college, and I hope to do so. I don’t have a dream school. I’m very open-minded and enjoying the recruiting process so far. I think the key for me will be finding a healthy balance between academics and athletics. I know it’s very important to be happy in both aspects because each will affect the other.
7. Who is your favorite athlete to compete against and why?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a single favorite athlete to compete against. I respect all my competitors. I really do love running at Shocker Pre-State every year. I’ve met some really great girls there and have formed some lasting friendships that I cherish very much. I’m from a small school, so it’s rare for me to be able to race girls in larger classifications. This meet is special because it provides a great competitive environment and the sportsmanship among athletes is like none other here.
As I have the chance to interview more athletes, I am always amazed by how mature each one of them are, and Chesney followed suit. Over the next few weeks, Peterson will have the chance to add more to her long list of accolades, and will look to book her ticket to state on May 20th at Smith Center.
KU’s Redwine head coach of Team USA in Eugene 🌎
Last week, Kansas track & field head coach Stanley Redwine was named the head coach of the Team USATF men’s team, along with Long Beach State’s LaTanya Sheffield, who will coach the women. This isn’t his first rodeo on the international stage, but his first as head coach. Last summer in Tokyo, he was an assistant coach for Team USA and was also an assistant for the Pan-American Games in 2015. The leader of the Jayhawks has seen a lot of success in his nearly forty years of coaching. During his years at Arkansas, Tulsa, and Kansas, Redwine has five Big 12 Coach of the Year honors, 21 individual national champions, 8 Olympians and 23 national championship teams, most recently the Kansas women at the outdoor championship in 2013. Redwine, one of the most well-respected and admired coaches in the nation already has a stunning résumé, and this accolade will surely look good on it as well. Redwine will have the chance to coach some former Jayhawks in Eugene as well, with Bryce Hoppel (800m) and Zach Bradford (Pole Vault) both in the hunt to don the red, white, and blue. If that were to happen (which I hope it does) it would be Hoppel’s fourth time representing the United States, and Bradford’s second. I for one cannot wait to see a Kansas legend take the reins of the world’s most competitive team.
JUCO championships staying close to home🏠
Since its inaugural championship in 1973, the NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships have been hosted in Kansas 19 times, either in Lawrence, Manhattan, or Pittsburg. Next winter, the 2023 championship will stay in Kansas, but take place in the state-of-the-art indoor facility at Washburn University in Topeka. The facility had its formal opening towards the end of 2020 and is already beginning to make back the $20.6 million it cost to build the beautiful track and field venue. The Topeka bid beat out Spokane, which is home to the very new indoor facility, “The Podium”, a venue that has 75,000 square feet of competition space and can hold just over 4,200 spectators. Another bid in the running was from Texas Tech, a school with a very recently built facility of their own. I don’t know about you, but this makes my drive significantly shorter, even though Pittsburg wasn’t that far. All-in-all, I personally think it’s a great thing to have multiple indoor facilities throughout the state that are capable of hosting a national championship-caliber meet. See you there next March!
Casey Helm: The Greatest Ever🐐
Every week I think to myself, “What’s the next big thing to happen in Kansas throws?” Well, Casey Helm found himself back in the headlines after his throw last week at the Madison Invitational. Helm, one of the top throwers in the nation and a Princeton commit heaved the discus 214-1, the farthest throw in the history of Kansas high school athletics. He beat the previous mark of 213-6 by over half of a foot, taking down the record that had been in place since 1980 when Clint Johnson of Shawnee Mission South set it. Helm’s record-setting throw is the #1 throw in the U.S. this year, and by just under ten feet, right ahead of Santa Fe Trail star and Nebraska commit, Brett Schwartz. Helm’s throw also landed itself at #15 in U.S. high school history, an impressive feat for the Madison senior. Helm’s state record also compares very well with the collegiate bests throughout the country. Here is where 215-1 would sit from NCAA DI to the NJCAA.
3rd Best — NCAA DI
1st Best — NCAA DII by 24’ 8”
1st Best — NCAA DIII by 32’ 10”
1st Best — NAIA by 29’ 2”
1st Best — NJCAA by 22’ 10
You’re telling me only two people in the country (excluding professionals) have thrown farther than Helm? Casey Helm is going to do big things, and in all honesty I have no idea what he’s capable of. Congratulations Casey!
Today might finally be the day that Kansas athletes get to race and compete without 30 mph winds! There are some pretty big meets happening tonight, and the one that I’m most excited for is the Shawnee Mission North Relays. Based off of what I can find on MileSplit, there are over 50 teams from Kansas and Missouri that are sure to take advantage of the perfect conditions tonight. I know I say it every week, but go find yourself a track meet this weekend, and watch some track and field for us!
The weight is heavier in college for discus, so the distances are not comparable