Sprinters on the fast track in the area

Amanda Levin

Grade: Sophomore

School: West Fargo

Events (times): 100 meters (12.27), 200 (25.35), 400 (57.38), 400 relay (51.78), 800 relay (1:47.72), 1,600 relay (4:04.73).

Running lanes: Levin owns three of the top six state-qualifying times in the North Dakota Class A girls 100 meters. Her time of 12.27 seconds is the fastest in the state this season.

"She's such a strong talent in regards to sprinting," West Fargo track and field coach Darin McKinnon said of Levin. "She's very driven. Amanda loves track and constantly works to get better."

"She's been running for us since seventh grade, and every year she continues to get stronger and stronger and her performances have shown that."

Levin also owns the second-best state-qualifying times in the 200 and 400 at 25.35 and 57.38, respectively. She also is a member of West Fargo's 400, 800 and 1,600 relay teams that have qualified for the state track and field meet set for May 25-26 in Bismarck.

Josey Page

Grade: Junior

School: Carrington

Events (times): 100 meters (12.52), 200 (26.04), 400 (1:00.44), 300 hurdles (48.09), 400 (50.54) relay, 800 relay (1:47.24), 1,600 relay (4:08.84).

Running lanes: Page is tied for the fastest Class B girls state-qualifying time in the 100 meters with a time of 12.52. She also has the fastest time in the 200 thus far, cruising to a time of 26.04. Page owns the second-fastest state qualifying time in the 400 at 1 minute, .44 seconds - two one-hundredths of a second behind Grafton's Rachel Dryburgh.

"The one thing about Josey is she works hard and puts her time in," Carrington track and field coach Greg Hoeckle said. "It's nice to see her running those times this early in the season and hopefully we can make some adjustments the next couple weeks, so she is peaking at the right time."

"We are hoping she hasn't run her fastest times this year and that is still to come."

Paige Slemmons

Grade: Senior

School: Central Cass

Events (times): 100 meters (12.52), 200 (26.54), Long jump, 400 relay (51.59), 800 relay (1:51.25).

Running lanes: Slemmons is tied with Page for the fastest state-qualifying time in the 100 meters with a time of 12.52. She is also tied for the fourth fastest state-qualifying time in the 200 (26.54).

Slemmons missed the state finals in the 100 and 200 a year ago and Casselton girls track and field coach Cale Lewis said that has helped motivate the senior sprinter.

"Her drive gets her where she needs to be," Lewis said. "She's turned a corner in her sprinting this year and has been bound and determined to get better. She's a much better starter out of the blocks this season."

Slemmons is also a member of the Squirrels 400 and 800 meter relay teams that have qualified for state.

DeSean Thompson

Grade: Junior

School: Fargo North

Events (times): 100 meters (10.94), 200 (22.63), 400 (54.70), 400 relay (44.54), 800 relay (1:33.37).

Running lanes: Thompson returns to the Spartans after missing all of last season with a torn ACL suffered during basketball season. He is tied with Bismarck's Randy Tardif for the fastest Class A boys time in the 100 meters at 10.94.

"It certainly doesn't appear to have hindered him," North boys track and field coach Gary Mailloux said of Thompson's injury. "The results are showing, and he's a very capable runner."

"He's got those fast-twitch muscles, some height and long legs to help him get a good stride."

Thompson also runs on the Spartans 400 and 800 meter relay teams that have posted state-qualifying times.

Waha Sem

Grade: Junior

School: Fargo North

Events (times): 400 meters (50.04); 800 (1:54.85), 800 relay (1:33.37), 1,600 relay (3:31.18).

Running lanes: Sem is the defending Class A state champion in the 400 and 800 meters and also was the anchor leg on North's state champion 1,600 relay team. He owns the second-fastest state-qualifying time in the 400 meters (50.04).

"He has a range of events that he can run," Mailloux said of Sem. "He is performing well and he is a reliable, durable runner. He has a good handle on what is going to help him succeed."

Sem also has qualified for state as a member of the Spartans' 800 and 1,600 meter relay teams.

Courtney Nepstad

Grade: Sophomore

School: Park Christian

Events (times): 200 (27.30) and 400 (1:00.7)

Running lanes: "I think she knows her potential," said Park Christian coach Megan Endreson. "She knows how hard to work in order to achieve the goals she sets. She's performed very well so far. I think we will continue to see great success out of her."

Michael Whitney

Grade: Junior

School: Breckenridge

Events (times): 100 (11.10); 200 (22.95) and 400 (53.80)

Running lanes: "I expected a lot out of him since he finished sixth in the state in the 100 and 200 last year," said Breckenridge coach Brad Lindberg. "He came on real strong late last year and he's ahead of that pace this year."

Summer Ellefson

Grade: Junior

School: Park Rapids

Events (times): 200 (27.20) and 400 (1:00.4)

Running lanes: "The thing about Summer is she's a real competitor and one of those athletes that is once in a lifetime," said Park Rapids coach Corey Hill. "She has the skill and the work ethic. It is rare that you get those two combinations together."

Brady Andersen

Grade: Sophomore

School: Moorhead

Events (times): 100 (11.11) and 200 (23.50)

Running lanes: "He's ranked No. 5 in the state right now," said Moorhead coach Jon Moe. "My expectations would be the state finals, and whatever happens at that point happens."

Lindsey Heinecke

Grade: Freshman

School: Detroit Lakes

Events (times): 100 (12.83) and 200 (25.88)

Running lanes: "It has been just putting in work and I listen to what my coaches say, "Heinecke said. "I didn't want to lift weights before, but now that I do, it has made me a lot faster."