Stories

I was talking to my nephew Garrett Neilsen and he gave me a good idea.  Just start telling stories from my life.

back in 1974 I was a sophmore at Hillcrest High school in Salt Lake City, Utah.  My father was encouraging me to run as well as perhaps do the pole vault so that I might letter as a sophomore.  I went out for the team and ran a few early races.  I started with a 2 mile in 10:52   each race after I kept improving.  I went with the team to the Snow College invitational and was entered in the 2 mile run.  A senior on my team Alma Hansen was the defending state champion for the 2 mile. He ran the mile and I got into the 2 mile.  I ran most of the race in a pack of runners.  The best runner in the state was named Mark Despain and he was running easily in the lead.  I stayed in the pack and with one lap to go Despain took off and I went with him.  With 100 yards to go I made a move and passed him.  He was surprised and I kept going and hit the tape in first place.  My time qualified me for the state meet the time was 10:14 loping 30 seconds off of my best time.  I was elated.  My coaches were in shock.  How did this sophmore win this big high school track event with people from all over the state.  It was fun.