Mike Whisner has been ADM’s head track coach since 1982.

In his tenure at the head of the boys’ program, he’s coached some outstanding athletes, including a state champion.  And this year, he has a senior that ranks as one of his all-time greats.

Before this young man competes in his signature hurdle events tomorrow, Coach Whisner reflects on what it’s been like to coach Tate Jensen.

“I like hurdles.  I like the fact that you can take somebody that may not win the 100 (meters) or may not even place in the 100 in the state meet, but they’re flexible and competitive.  It’s a real coach’s challenge to try to turn somebody into a hurdler, so it is rewarding as a coach, and Tate is one of the best I’ve had.”

Jensen will be competing in both the 110 and 400 meter hurdles tomorrow for ADM.  He qualified for state with the top time in the 110 high hurdles last year but did not advance past the prelims.

Despite that disappointing performance in the 2013 state meet, Coach Whisner says he doesn’t expect Jensen to be looking for any type of redemption tomorrow based on what happened a year ago.

“His personality isn’t that–he just had a bad day and moves on to the next race.  You know, maybe that (redemption) is there but he’s not going to say anything, he’s just gonna go compete.”

Jensen’s 110 meter hurdle prelim heat will be run at 5:10 tomorrow evening.  His 400 hurdle final will be run shortly beforehand at 3:30pm