UPDATE: Blakeslee sixth in mile

ST. PAUL — Finishing sixth in the 1,600-meter run at the Class A state meet was a bittersweet accomplishment for Cannon Falls’ Kyle Blakeslee.

The senior was happy to be at Hamline University on Saturday running in the race. She attained her goal. Blakeslee had never qualified for state in the event before.

“I worked so hard,” Blakeslee said. “Since December I’ve been running. I worked really hard to make it in the mile.”

Yet, the outcome was disappointing. After she placed third in the 3,200 Friday, Blakeslee said her sights were set on the blue ribbon attached to the first-place medal.

“I was just sad because it was my last high school race and I wanted to do good,” Blakeslee said. “I didn’t do as well as I wanted to.”

She attributed the outcome to the cold, wet conditions.

Early in the race Blakeslee said she was getting kicked, splashed, shoved and elbowed so she moved to the front.

Blakeslee led from about the start of the second lap until there was 50 meters left on the third lap.

“I blocked the wind for everyone and I think it pooped me out,” she said, adding, “It probably wasn’t a very smartly run race.”

She finished in 5 minutes, 16.60 seconds. Stacey Kern, an Osakis senior, won the race in 5:08.66.

Blakeslee earned all 12 of the Bombers’ team points in her two races. Cannon Falls tied seven schools for 23rd place.

In the boys 1,600, Zumbrota-Mazeppa senior Logan Langley finished 14th with a time of 4:42.74.

Tags: track and field, cannon falls, kyle blakeslee, logan langley, sports, zumbrota, mazeppa