Diversity is in Tyler Enerson's track future. The present has the Grand Forks Red River High School senior concentrating on the hurdles.
Enerson swept the 110- and 300-hurdles titles Monday at the Bob Zimney Last Chance meet at Cushman Field. He won the 110s in 15.07 seconds and ran a 41.45 in the 300s.
Enerson entered the week with the second-fastest time in the state in the 110s and the fifth-fastest in the 300s. He has signed to compete in track at North Dakota State University, where he plans to be a decathlete as well as hurdler.
"I've always focused on jumping events and I'm going there because of the hurdles,'' Enerson said. "But I'd like to try the decathlon.
"I did a decathlon last summer and I enjoyed it. It will definitely be a lot of work and a lot of frustration at times. But my brother (Ryan, a decathlete at NDSU) tells me that once you get some good scores, it drives you.''
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Throwing, vaulting, distance runs and sprints are decathlon events, along with jumps and hurdles. His short-term goal is to improve at the state meet after finishing eighth in the 110 hurdles as a sophomore and fourth last season. Enerson said he's cut his time in the 110s by about three-tenths of a second from last season.
"It's a natural progression,'' Red River coach Jeff Bakke said. "He's taller. He's faster. He's stronger than last year. We had a feeling he'd cut his times. He's come a long way in all his events.
"It (decathlon) will be perfect for Tyler. He has the physical tools and work ethic to develop in different areas.''
For now, Enerson's focus is the East Region meet Friday in West Fargo and the state meet next week.
"I want to finish with a bang,'' he said. "A state championship would be cool. If I get a PR, I think I'd have a shot at a championship.''
Red River swept the Last Chance titles. The Roughrider boys had 341 points to runner-up Grand Forks Central's 99. Red River won the girls division with 260 points, with Central second at 106.5.
