Kyle Carlson to join father in Hall of Fame

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Kyle Carlson estimates he has been to 30 North Dakota state track and field meets in his life.

Some, he was there to watch. A few, he was there to win.

Today, Carlson will attend yet another state meet. This time, he will be accepting an award bestowed upon a chosen few, including his father, the late Jack Carlson.

Kyle, a 38-year-old Dickinson native, is one of three from the city being inducted into the North Dakota High School Track and Field Hall of Fame during this weekend’s state meet at the Bismarck Community Bowl. The others are James Molstre and Rich Wardner.

Jack and Kyle Carlson will be the first father and son inducted in the recently established Hall of Fame. Jack was inducted posthumously in the inaugural class in 2007.

“I can remember going with my dad to every state track meet since I was born,” Kyle said.

These days, Kyle lives in Fargo and is a bankruptcy trustee contracted with the state of Minnesota.

Now he’s the one running to track and field meets for his kids, 12-year-old Katelyn and 9-year-old Jack.

“I’m following them all over the place, watching them run,” Kyle said.

But, he’ll never forget tagging along with his dad to countless meets over the years.

The elder Jack Carlson, who died of liver cancer in the fall of 2003, was perhaps the winningest track coach in North Dakota high school history. In 18 seasons at Dickinson High, he accumulated a boys track meet record of 209-34.

Kyle was at the forefront of that.

He was a six-time state champion, winning the 400 meters in 1989 and 1990, the 100 in 1990, the 400 relay in 1988 and 1989, and the 1,600 relay in 1987. Along with those, he also helped the Midgets to team state championships in 1989 and 1990.

He was named North Dakota Gatorade track and field athlete of the year in 1990.

He went on to play football at North Dakota State for five seasons as a running back.

Kyle said winning the team titles ranks high on his list of accomplishments from high school.

“All of those friends I had on those teams are still my friends today,” he said. “That was really fun. It was fun to have my dad as a coach.

“I guess that was probably the most rewarding thing, and the thing I remember the most.”

Monke is the sports editor of The Dickinson Press. He can be reached at dmonke@thedickinsonpress.com. Visit his blog at monke.areavoices.com.

<>Other area North Dakota High School Track and Field Hall of Fame Inductees

James Molstre

Molstre was a high school track All-America selection and a six-time state champion for the Midgets in the early 1980s. He won high school titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 400 relay.

He went on to have a successful football and track and field career at North Dakota State, where he was a national champion on the football field and an NCAA All-America selection on the track.

Mostre is now a pastor serving a church in the Pittsburgh area.

Rich Wardner

A former coach at Dickinson High School and a current state senator for District 37, Wardner has been a starter at state meets since 1970.

He coached track and field, basketball and football during his tenure at Dickinson High, where he also served as assistant principal.

Tags: track and field, sports, midgets, columns, preps