It's been a tough spring weather-wise for training. And Ryan Todhunter skipped a few hurdles races this year as a precautionary measure with hamstring soreness.
So one could understand if the Grand Forks Red River athlete was behind the pace he set in the hurdles and sprints a year ago.
Instead, it's full steam ahead for the University of Minnesota recruit.
"He's ahead of last year in everything," Red River boys coach Bob Zimney said.
Todhunter showed off his skills Saturday at the Grand Forks Gerrells track meet at Cushman Field. He won the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, the open 200 meters and was on a winning 4x200 relay team.
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The senior finished the 110s in 14.50 seconds, the 300s in :39.49 and the 200 in :22.73. The 4x200 relay team of Todhunter, Ben Prout, Matt Schober and Tyler Gefroh finished in 1:31.16.
"I'm liking it," Todhunter said of his times this season.
He looked especially strong running into a slight wind in the 110 hurdles. That happens to be his favorite race, mostly because it's an all-out sprint that requires finer form than the 300 hurdles.
The 6-foot-3 Todhunter won the 110 hurdles and placed second in the 300 hurdles at the state Class A meet as a junior. He's not a bad sprinter, either. Todhunter and Wahpeton's Ryan Smith are tied for the top time in the state in the 100 meters at :11.04.
"We've had some other state champion hurdlers, my son, Jeremy, and Kirk (Scramstad)," coach Zimney said. "But they didn't have as good of flat-out speed as he does."
Fueled by Todhunter, Red River cruised to the boys team title. The Roughriders finished with 311 points, compared to runner-up Grand Forks Central's 152.5.
The Roughriders also received two individual titles from Jake Malm, who took the javelin and the discus.
Paul Shafer (first in the 1,600 and second in the 800) and Shane Harlow (first in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600) paced the Knights.
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Red River also won the girls team title, finishing with 274.33 points. Central was second with 183.83.
Megan Storstad (first in the javelin and second in the discus) and Katie Ronkowski (first in the high jump and second in the 1,600) led the Roughriders.
Candyce Iseminger (shot put and discus) and Rebecca Fee (100 and 200) each won two individuals titles for Central.
The Knights' Kari Novotny won the pole vault with a leap of 10 feet, tying the meet record she and two others own.
