John's Journal: A Track And Field Comeback In St. Charles

RUSHFORD -- There are eight individual running events in Minnesota high school track, along with six field events. Any athlete who holds one school record has done something special, especially at a track program that ranks among the state’s best.

Which brings us to Christopher Hilton, a talented senior from St. Charles who has big goals as the postseason commences. He had a dominant day here at Thursday’s Section 1A Subsection 1 meet, winning the 110-meter hurdles, the 300 hurdles, the 200 and triple jump. Next will be the section championship meet May 27 and 29 at Triton in Dodge Center, followed by the state meet June 10 through 12 at St. Michael-Albertville.

How talented is Hilton? He holds or shares school records in six events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, triple jump and 4x400 relay.

When the St. Charles Saints won the boys Class A title at the True Team state championship meet last week, Hilton finished first in the 100 and second in the 200 and 300 hurdles. He and St. Charles classmate Charles Davidson accounted for more than 25 percent of the Saints’ team points as they outscored runner-up Holdingford 561.5 to 525.5.

“They always score a lot of points but they both had really, really good days,” said St. Charles boys head coach Erik Klein.

The Saints boys won their second consecutive True Team state title and third in six years. The program is huge for a small school, with an all-time high of 150 athletes on the girls and boys teams this year, roughly one-third of the student body.

Hilton broke a 20-year-old school record in the 100 at True Team state. His time of 10.89 seconds topped the previous record of 11.14 set by Ben Koestler in 2003. Chris’ time ranks fourth in the state in Class A this spring; he also ranks first in the 110 hurdles, second in the 300 hurdles and 10^th in the 200.

Among other Saints, the boys 4x800 relay unit of Isaac Mosdal, Conner Gransee, Ivan Daood and Eddie Burlingame has the seventh-fastest Class A time this spring.

The events that Hilton specializes in have something in common: jumping. Whether over high hurdles or low hurdles or sailing into the triple jump landing area, the ability to run fast and leap with power behind it is vital.

Hilton burst onto the scene as a sophomore, placing second in both hurdles races and fifth in the triple jump at the 2023 Class A state championships. A year ago he seemed all set for more glory until injuries derailed everything.

After suffering a hamstring strain last April, he fought through that adversity to win the 110 hurdles at the section meet, qualifying for his second state championships. Shortly after that, his other hamstring went kablooey in the 300 hurdles. Even though he qualified for state in the 110s, the injuries ended his season at the section level.

“It was disappointing, for sure,” Chris said.

“It was bad,” said Klein. “It’s been a really cool chapter in working with Chris this spring. He was understandably a little apprehensive to trust his hamstrings again and have the courage to push and test it out. About two and half weeks ago there was a change. He really trusted his legs again. We saw that at True Team state.”

With his future set – a track and field career at North Dakota State – Hilton knows how he wants to finish his high school career.

“My goal is to be a state champion in the 110s and the 300s, and I'm going to work my butt off to get myself to a good point,” he said.

Also a football and basketball player, Hilton has impressed his coaches since he first joined the track team in junior high.

“He’s immensely talented, which was clear from day one,” Klein said. “I’ve been so impressed with him over the years, and he is incredibly humble. The way he treats the people around him is really impressive. You can build a program around kids like that. We talk about leadership a lot in our program. Leadership in my mind is the way you go about your business; do you do it in such a way that you make people around you better, too? Are you an invitation to others to be at the level of practice and commitment that you are? And Chris is that. It’s been a real, real pleasure to get to coach him over the years.”

Returning to the track this spring involved challenges for Hilton, mental as well as physical. Learning to trust your body again can be something to overcome.

“I am proud of him for a lot of things,” Klein said. “He had patience and trust in me and Russ Barclay, his hurdle and jump coach, and to see him get back to a point where he can unleash things is great.”

Chris said, “Sometimes you have to just push that button. You’ve got to do it because it's your senior year. You’ve got to commit to it. Your body can handle it. After all the recovery and (physical therapy) I've done, my body can handle it.”

As for the remaining competitions that will put a wrap on his high school career, Hilton is ready.

“I'm excited,” he said. “I’m excited to go.”

--MSHSL staff member John Millea has been the leading voice of Minnesota high school activities for decades. Follow him on Bluesky at johnmilleamn and listen to "Preps Today with John Millea” wherever you get podcasts. Contact John at [email protected] or john.millea@ymail.com