WARREN, Minn. -- Zach Riopelle doesn't fit the typical sprinter's profile.
The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School junior stands 6 foot 3 inches in height. He weighs 215 pounds. Riopelle always has been big for his age group. But he's also always been fast for his age group.
"Generally, when you see a kid Zach's size, you figure he's too big to be real fast," West Marshall co-coach Kevin Johnson said. "Those guys usually wind up in the throwing events.
"But, with Zach, the speed was obvious early on. He's always been really fast."
That speed has shown itself time and again.
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As a sophomore last season, Riopelle finished third in the 100 at the Minnesota Section 8A meet. This season, he's won the 100 and 200 at both the Crookston VFW and Crookston Pirate Relays.
"I am a pretty big guy," said Riopelle, who also long jumps. "I ran against one guy my size this year. He didn't keep up with me very well. One guy I raced, I asked how big he was and he said he was 5-8, 140 pounds. A lot of guys seem to be about half my size.
"I guess I was born with (speed). I like to think I've added to it by working out."
If there was one meet that showed his natural ability, it was the Crookston VFW.
Riopelle, a percussion player, missed almost a week of practice while the W-A-O band was on a trip to California. That didn't slow Riopelle down; in the 15-team meet he won the 100 and 200.
"That shows his pure athletic talent," Johnson said.
Riopelle wasn't totally idle from workouts in California. While his mother texted Riopelle pictures of fresh snow while he was gone, "I spent some time in the ocean. That was a workout," Riopelle said. "I was crossing my fingers and hoping to do well when I got back."
Whether his size helps or is a hindrance in his speed, Riopelle isn't sure. "I've asked myself that," he said. "If anything, it probably should be a disadvantage. Out of the blocks, it takes me awhile to get going. But my takeoffs have gotten a lot better."
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While he excels at track, that size-speed combination has helped Riopelle become a multi-sport standout. He's been an all-conference pick in both basketball, as a post player, and football, as a running back and linebacker. Football -- a sport in which several schools, including UND and North Dakota State, are recruiting him -- is Riopelle's favorite sport.
"It's in my blood," he said. "My brother, Chris, played college football at Bemidji State. My dad was recruited to play. I like the intensity, the physicality, of football. It's no fun if it isn't hard hitting. It's an adrenaline rush."
But, regardless of the sport, Riopelle's drive right now is to get to a state tournament. He admits he's tired of being close.
His third-place finish in the 100 at the 8A meet last spring left him one place shy of qualifying for the state meet. In basketball, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo has lost in the Section 8A championship game twice in the past three seasons, including this past March. In football, the Ponies were Section 8A second-place finishers each of the past three seasons.
"I'm sick of the red-colored ribbon," Riopelle said. "It always seems to be second-place ribbons for us. I'm hungry for a blue ribbon, a chance to get to state."
Riopelle has beaten the best in 8A this season, and he's done it with a rare size-speed combination.
"I can't think of any kid around here who has been as big as Zach who has run as fast as he does," veteran West Marshall co-coach Garry Kotts said.
DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .
