Preps Agenda’s Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Preble’s Khalid Mohamed
Khalid Mohamed was in shock when he crossed the finish line at Veterans Memorial Stadium in La Crosse.
The Green Bay Preble junior completed the WIAA Division 1 boys 3,200-meter run with a personal-best time of 9 minutes, 19.85 seconds.
“I knew I was going to PR, but not by this much,” said Mohamed, who topped his previous PR by 18 seconds.
Mohamed’s time also earned him a spot on the state podium with a sixth-place finish.
“It felt great,” he said. “I wanted a podium finish, but to be honest, I didn’t think I was going to be up there. There is a lot of competition. A lot of great guys. I’m glad I’m up there.”
Mohamed’s surprising spot on the state podium came in only his second year in the sport and while he was fasting in observance of Ramadan.
For his efforts, Mohamed is PrepsAgenda.com’s Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
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The first day of the WIAA stat track and field championships was the hottest day of the season.
“I just chilled there and walked out just to watch the 4×8,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed also made his second state appearance in the 1,600, finishing with a time of 4:29.76. He won the Fox River Classic Conference championship in the event with a personal-best time of 4:23.58.
Both of Mohamed’s personal-best times in the distance runs led the Green Bay area this season and rank in the Top 10 on Preble’s all-time record board. His 3,200 time ranks third, while his 1,600 time is seventh.
He also became the first Preble boys runner to place in the 3,200 since Dave Loritz finished as the state runner-up in 1994.
“Next year, I want to train hard and, hopefully, go after that state championship,” Mohamed said.
Final 2019 Track & Field Honor Roll
Relay of the Year: Bay Port’s 1,600-meter relay
The quartet of juniors Andrew Thomas, Sam Plumb, Ryan Thieme and sophomore Mitchell Merhalski produced a D1 state runner-up finish following a rerun of the finals.
Boys Coach of the Year: Kewaunee’s Joe Kassner
The Storm not only edged Peshtigo to win the Packerland Conference title, but Kewaunee captured its first WIAA regional title since 1987.
Boys Assistant Coach of the Year: Preble’s Kyle McMahon
In addition to Mohamed’s success, the Hornets’ distance runners took the top three places in the 3,200-meter run at the FRCC meet and qualified for state again in the 3,200 relay.