Dalen Fink a senior at Ft. Zummwalt North is the Missouri State Champion in the boys 800 meter run. After a disappointing dq for a uniform violation in 2009, Fink overcame St. Louis University High’s Nick Seckfort to win the 2010 state championship in a blazing 1:51.29
Missouri MileSplit caught up with Dalen in between college visits and his preparation for the upcoming Midwest Distance Gala.
Missouri MileSplit: 1:51.29 – First words that come to mind?
Dalen Fink: I slowed down with 5 meters left haha
Missouri MileSplit: Many observers expected a battle between you and Seckfort, I think the crowd was surprised by a 1:51, did you surprise yourself?
Dalen Fink: Well when I ran the 1.55 at districts I wasn't pushed and cruised the last hundred meters so I knew I would be able to cut at least a couple more seconds off. After I split 1.52 in the 4 x 8 I realized I could go that fast, but i was a little worried i would be worn out come Saturday. Turns out I wasn't thankfully so maybe a little surprised but not a whole lot.
Missouri MileSplit: How did you prepare in the weeks leading up to state?
Dalen Fink: Our coach started tapering off our workouts. We would run less cardio-like work outs and focus more on speed training. The day before conference, districts, and sectionals we would go on a 20 minute coach run with Steinhoff which was fun.
Missouri MileSplit: How did the DQ last year impact your thinking or preparation for this year’s meet?
Dalen Fink: It really helped me in the offseason. My sophmore year I got sick the right after districts and died at sectionals, but I wasn't that worried because I knew I would still have two solid state meets to go to. But after the DQ I knew I had one shot left and I'd now missed out twice so I needed to make the last season a good one. I focused all my anger from that race to help me train throughout the winter, which I had never done in the previous seasons.
Missouri MileSplit: What’s your opinion on the 800 Prelims?
Dalen Fink: My coach and I were really excited that they introduced the Prelims. I always had problems avoiding getting boxed in so the less runners the better. At the Kansas Relays I was boxed in so bad that I had to force my way out on the last curve and run almost into lane four to pass, and I didn't have enough time to catch the leader. That race only had 12 runners. so I can only imagine how wild the race would be with 16. having to run two 800s instead of one was no big deal either, as it usually never affects me.
Missouri MileSplit: Any plans for the post season?
Dalen Fink: I didn't have any before state but now yes, Jake and I are going up to the Midwest Distance Gala on the 12th with our couch, and then I'm going to compete in junior nationals in Iowa hopefully. I was looking forward to no more practice, haha.
Missouri MileSplit: I heard you were still unsigned, any plans for college yet?
Dalen Fink: . Yes I have been on quite a few visits in the past week and ever since state more and more coaches have been calling. It's going to be very hard to choose.
