The Fastest Players in the State of Minnesota

High school football in Minnesota kicks off now in only 45 days. Some will argue various different traits make a good high school football player. Football IQ, strength, size, or even just love for the game, but sometimes world class speed is what separates the good players from the elite. There are obviously great football players in Minnesota that had their track seasons cut short due to injury, or they just did not compete in track. I thought today we would look at (no specific oder) which Minnesota stars speed shows up on the track in the spring before they hit the gridiron in the fall. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Michael Olowo, Junior, DB/RB/WR, Rogers (100m: 10.84) (200m: 21.92)</strong></span></span> Last year as a Sophomore, Michael got his first taste of varsity football action. He started all nine games for Rogers at corner back. He surprisingly did not get many touches on the offensive side of the ball, only having one reception all season. Without many snaps on offense Michael was able to focus on shutting down opposing receivers every game. He was able to keep up with any receiver in the state with his all-state level speed. He also was able to showcase his great ballhawking skills, finishing the year with two interceptions. Lastly he surprisingly did not return punts last year, but he did return kicks where he was rather unproductive. &nbsp; After a winter where Michael played for the JV basketball team, he was ready to showcase his speed on the track in the spring. He predominantly competed in the 100, and 200 meter dash. He went to state in both events. Olowo's season long personal records were 10.84 in the 100 and 21.92 in the 200. Which are both now Rogers school records. Michael unfortunately did not make the final heat in the 100 at state, but he hid finish ninth in the 200. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Gaven Ziebarth, Junior, RB/DB, Cambridge Isanti (100m: 10.93) (200m: 22.56)</strong></span></span> Ziebarth similarly to Olowo, go his first varsity action last season for Cambridge Isanti. Although Contrary to Olowo, Ziebarth got all of his opportunities on the offensive side of the ball last season. He had 57 total touches, and 460 total yards, to go along with five total touchdowns. Even though he wasn't the lead back last year for Cambridge-Isanti, he sure did showcase his breakaway speed. Every time Gaven received over 10 carries, (three times) he finished with over 100 rushing yards. &nbsp; Gaven was able to play on the varsity hockey team in the winter for Cambridge, where he finished with six goals and one assist. In the spring for the track team his personal records were 10.93 in the 100 meter dash, and 22.56 in the 200 meter dash. Ziebarth also competed in the long jump, 4x100 meter relay, and the 4x200 meter relay. He competed in three events at state, the 100, 4x100, and 4x200. Ziebarth was able to turn all of his success into a sixth place finish in the 4x200, ninth in the 4x100, and eighth in to 100 meter dash. In 2018 Ziebarth was able to show the state of Minnesota he is one of the most electrifying young players in the state. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_9168" align="alignleft" width="266"] <em>photo via: Clint Austin/caustin@duluthnews.com</em>[/caption] <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Derek Daniels, RB/DB, Senior, Duluth East (100m: 11.17) (200m: 22.89)</strong></span></span> Derek is one of the elder statesman on this list. Last year as a Junior, he was making game changing plays all over the field for Duluth East. He was fortunate enough to receive playing time on both sides of the ball. Most of his snaps on the offensive side came at a "wingback" position where his speed flourished. On the defensive end he was the classic ball hawking defensive back. He has great ball skills as well as terrific tackling ability for a defensive back. His 2018 season stats are not readily available, but his film showed that he does not need numbers to determine how well he played as a Junior, where you can watch on the link below.. <strong><em><a href="http://www.ww5.hudl.com/v/2AR7FA">*Full Junior year highlights*</a></em></strong> After a highly productive season on the gridiron, Daniels was able to carry the same success into the track season. His personal bests were 11.17 seconds in the 100 meter dash and 22.89 in the 200 meter dash. Both times were second all time in the history of Duluth East high school. The only event that took him to the state track meet was the 100 meter dash. Derek would finish with a time of 11.17 which led to a 14th place finish. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size: 14pt"><strong>Connor Raines, DB/WR, Senior, Shakopee (200m: 22.36) (100m: 11.24)</strong></span> Raines had a great Junior season in 2018 for Shakopee. He got the bulk his work on the defensive side of the ball. He played most of his snaps at a "strong safety/outside linebacker" type of position. His closing speed was the strength of his game, he was able to see plays before they happen. Raines was almost like a lion stocking his prey, when he saw an opportunity... he would strike. His next-level speed led to 77 total tackles as well as two interceptions. In 2018 Raines showed that he is one of the most sure tacklers in the state of Minnesota. &nbsp; During the track season Raines competed in the traditional "top-athlete" events. He partook in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, long jump, and the 4x100 and 200 relays. He later competed all of his events excluding the 100 meter dash, at the state track meet. Raines performed very well at the meet finishing fifth in the 200, ninth in long jump, and sixth in 4x100 relay. Shakopee unfortunately DQ'd in the 4x200 meter dash. In 2018 Connor showed that his overall athleticism makes him one of the most versatile players in the state of Minnesota.