Posted: May 14, 2010 |(0) Comments

As a member of that relatively rare Wisconsin species known as "track fan," I'm supposed to know what certain times and distances mean and their relevance to history both local and statewide.

So when Homestead assistant coach Todd Brawner sent me a simple e-mail on the evening of May 12 that contained just the time 1:51.23, I knew what he meant.

It meant that ace middle-distance runner Gabe Genovesi had finally gotten his open 800-meter run in and had made the absolute most of it at the Highlanders' Last Chance Meet earlier that evening.

Not only was that time the best in the state this season by several seconds - crushing the old school record in the process - but it is also faster than the official state record of 1:51.79 set by Joe Kapheim of Appleton East in 1981 and the third-fastest 800 run in any setting in state prep history. (Official state records are set only at the state meet.)

Only legends Andrew Perkins of Watertown and Mark Winzenried of Monroe have posted faster times.

"I had it wrong initially and had to send it out again," said Brawner. "Am I surprised? No. You know what you see (in practice). He's already run a 47.5 (400 split on the 1,600 relay), so you can extrapolate what that might mean (in terms of an 800).

"What we do in practice is not very exotic. It hasn't been for 20 years, but he texted me about what he should go for in this race. A 54-second first lap was the initial thought and then he asked me what he should shoot for on the second.

"Which turned out to be spectacular."

Taking it to another level

Genovesi, who already has a secure Division I NCAA soccer scholarship offer from 2009 national finalist Akron, is a bit stunned by the progress. He was a state medal winner last spring in the open 400 and as part of the 1,600 relay, but he has simply taken it to a new level in 2010.

"I was expecting something good, but nothing like that," he said. "I figured that it would be my last open 800 of the season so I was really going for it. I was just so surprised. I was looking up (at Homestead's scoreboard clock) and looking at the time when I hit the 100 meter mark. I knew I had something really good going, and I wanted to finish it well, but it was incredibly hard. My legs got so tight."

As did the throats of top-level college track programs across the country, who are now only starting to catch up with the late-blooming Genovesi, who has anchored the Highlanders 1,600 relay to a state best time of 3:19.79 and who will also be a heavy favorite in the open 400 come state meet time.

"It no doubt opened a few eyes," said Homestead head coach Dan Benson.

The curious thing about Genovesi's 800 was that he got to run it at all. He was supposed to have done it at the Tosa West Benson Invite three weeks ago but thunderstorms washed that out just before the race started.

He was scheduled to do it again when the Highlanders were to have run at the Menomonee Falls Invite on May 11 but chilly rain and temperatures that barely reached 45 degrees forced Brawner (who was in charge of the runners that day) to pull his athletes out of the event.

So it was truly no surprise that Genovesi was ready to pull a very large, very fast rabbit out of his hat come May 12.

It was like Benson said: "Those guys (in the long sprint and middle distance group) needed a good hard run."

And Genovesi gave it to them and gave the Highlanders coaching staff, which is now planning its lineup for what is anticipated to be a serious run at the Division 1 state title in La Crosse June 4 and 5, some interesting decisions to make as they plan out the three races Genovesi will run in the state series.

Options include the 3,200 relay, the 400, the 1,600 relay and now maybe the 800.

"It's a nice problem to have," Benson said.

Baylor system working

Genovesi is giving all credit to Brawner and the coaching skills he honed in a long, championship coaching run at Germantown that ended two seasons ago and included a 2006 state team title along with state event crowns in the 1,600 relay in 2006 and 2007.

"It's just been a huge influence," Genovesi said. "Incredible. Everyone has been improving by leaps and bounds. We're just going further and further, and we have even more to do in that four by four (the 1,600 relay)."

"We talk all the time now," said Brawner, "and people weigh in on what their goals should be. Gabe wanted a time like this (in the 800). I know I've been afforded a great luxury (of talent and facilities) here and we'll see where it all fits in. I'll talk to my mentors on what to do at this point."

"But I've been using this same model (the legendary Olympic championship Baylor University training system) for 10 years now and it does work. All the kids want to sprint. They've worked to get to this spot and now they want to go fast."

Just how much faster we'll see June 4 and 5.

UP NEXT

WHAT: WIAA regional meet at 3:30 p.m. May 24 at Grafton. The top four finishers in each event will advance to the sectional hosted by Homestead at 4:15 p.m. May 27. Homestead won the regional meet last season.

OTHER EFFORTS AT THE LAST CHANCE MEET: Doug Mueller turned in 51.0 time in the open 400 and Taylor Ruffin had a 39.5 showing in the 300 intermediate hurdles. Matt Sama was also cited for his short sprint work by Homestead head coach Dan Benson.