Success on the field and on the track

Continuing with my series of stories highlighting some of the best football players in Minnesota who also excel in other sports – here are some of the top track and field athletes who will be making another run at the state track and field meet this spring. Placements are how each athlete placed in the 2021 state track and field meet. [player_tooltip player_id="112047" first="Sam" last="Backer"] <strong>Chatfield JR RB</strong> 5th 100m, 8th in the 200m Class A Backer can do it all running the ball. He obviously has the straight-line speed to get through the hole and get around the corner. What might not be as obvious is his footwork. He is tough to tackle in the open field because he doesn't give you a chance to get a clean shot on him – check out his spin move. He is physical enough to bounce off or run over tacklers when you get him lined up for a big hit. [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"] <strong>Belle Plaine JR OL</strong> 9th shot put Class A As I said in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/01/small-school-gems-class-of-2023/">an earlier story</a>, Retzer is one of the state's most complete interior offensive linemen. His highlights immediately jump off the page. He has a great combination of size, quickness, and power. That combination translates to the defensive side of the ball. He is a solid pass rusher but really excels against the run. His upper body strength allows him to shed blockers and set the edge at defensive end and take on double teams on the inside. [player_tooltip player_id="116250" first="Sanjay" last="Redd"] <strong>SMB SR RB</strong> 2nd 100m, 5th 200m, 1st 4X100m Class A With his domination of the sprints, it is no surprise that one of Redd's attributes is his speed. He can outrun defenders who think they have the angle on him. What most impressed me watching his tape was his vision. He is one of the rare runners who can see things – seemingly – before they happen. That anticipation, combined with his quick feet, made him one of the most dangerous runners in the senior class. [player_tooltip player_id="116257" first="Hudson" last="Artz"] <strong>Fairmont SR DB</strong> 9th 100m, 13th 200m, 3rd 400m Class A Antz uses that speed that helped him place in all three primary sprint events wisely on the football field. He closes quickly, both supporting the run from his safety spot and closing the gap on receivers out in the pattern. What makes Artz so good on the football field is how he uses that speed. He can transition from a dead sprint into a good tackling position and rarely over pursues or comes in too hot, not allowing him to stay in good tackling position. [player_tooltip player_id="18551" first="Levi" last="Richter"] <strong>Perham SR DB</strong> 2nd pole vault Class A Richter was a long-striding receiver and defensive back for Perham. Once he gets a crease, he hits another gear. That straight-line speed helps not only get separation running routes, but defensively, it allows him to make up ground quickly in coverage. I could envision him coming down the runway with a pole out in front of him, ready to attempt to improve on his second-place finish in the pole vault last season. [player_tooltip player_id="116188" first="Tony" last="Nelson"] <strong>Tracy-Milroy-Balaton SR OL</strong> 1st shot put, 8th discus Class A Explosiveness and power are two things needed to excel in throwing events. It doesn't take long to see Nelson has that explosiveness on the football field. He gets off the ball with the quickness of a smaller player, but when he makes contact with a defender, his size and strength are apparent. A three-sport athlete, his footwork in the open field mimics the footwork he needs to use on the basketball court and in the throwing circle. [player_tooltip player_id="116191" first="Ethan" last="Fischer"] <strong>Maple River SR OL</strong> 5th discus Class A Fischer uses his length well on both sides of the ball. His arm extension on his initial punch gets him the separation he needs to get both a defensive lineman and an offensive lineman on his heels and off-balance. Once he gets an advantage, his upper body strength is more than enough to get smaller defenders offensive linemen moving backward. [player_tooltip player_id="116497" first="Luke" last="Sugalski"] <strong>SMB SR OL</strong> 9th discus Class A Sugalski is not the biggest lineman in the state, but he makes up for it with great footwork on the football field. That footwork undoubtedly helped him become one of the best discus throwers in the state. His pass sets are quick and keep him in position against quicker defenders. Once in position, he moves well laterally when staying with pass rushers. He is quick to the edge in the running game when a hook block is needed.