Palmer runner wins titles

ANCHORAGE -- It has been quite a year for Aaron Dickson.

The Palmer senior runner had a state cross country title before the track and field season even began.

Now Dickson has two more titles to add to his resume in addition to a nifty award.

Dickson was named the state meet's athlete of the meet after winning both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs during the ASAA state track and field meet at Bartlett High School in Anchorage last week.

"It's been pretty awesome," Dickson said of his success. "A blessing."

Aaron who is just a piece of Palmer's Dickson triplets has been at or near the top of the state in the distance events all season.

He, along with brother Drew, another standout distance runner for the Moose, will continue their run to UAA where they will compete on the Seawolf cross-country team.

"I hope to keep getting better and better," Dickson said. "It is exciting going to a team like that. They have a lot of guys coming back."

One of those guys is former Valley standout Eric Strabel.

Dickson finished with mind-boggling times in both the 800 and 1,600 in the state meet. The senior finished with a time of 4:22.27 in the 1,600. The time was not only the best in the state this season, but a personal record for Dickson.

Dickson finished the 800 in 1:48.56.

The Palmer runner credits his speed in the final 200 meters of each run to his success. Dickson was passed during the final lap of each race.

"I just wanted to stay close enough and I was confident that I could out-kick them in the last 200 meters," Dickson said.

Dickson helped lead Palmer to a second-place finish in the team standings. The Moose tallied 64 points in the meet, 20 behind first-place Dimond.

Olin Bingham won the 400 for Palmer with a time of 50.48.

Justin Schwartzbauer won the 300-meter hurdles title for Colony and finished second in the 110-meter hurdles. Dan McBride finished second for the Knights in the long jump.

Colony finished fifth in the girls' standings. Top finishers for the Knights included Shelby Beairsto, second in the high jump and Stevie McDowell, third in the 100.

Dominique Colberg finished third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800.

Toni Cox led the Palmer girls with a fourth-place finish in the discus.

Colony's Cathe Rhodes was named the girls' coach of the year.