Sem, Thompson lead Fargo North

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FARGO — Waha Sem and DeSean Thompson have put together standout junior seasons on the track for Fargo North this spring.

They each won two individual East Region titles on Saturday, with Sem winning the 400 and 800 meters and Thompson racing to first-place finishes in the 100 and 200.

However, when it comes to the North Dakota state meet that starts Friday in Bismarck, Sem and Thompson differ a bit.

Sem returns to state after winning titles in three events — the 400, 800 and the 1600-meter relay — as a sophomore.

Thompson enters the meet a year removed from tearing the ACL in his left knee. The injury, which Thompson suffered playing basketball, sidelined him for his entire sophomore track season.

He has made up for lost time this spring, registering some of the fastest times in the state in the 100 and 200.

“The season has been going very well,” Thompson said. “I’m happy with how I am performing. There still is one more track meet left, and I expect to do well in that one too.”

As for the knee, Thomson said it has held up nicely.

“I feel a lot faster and stronger since my injury,” Thompson said. “My knee hasn’t bothered me at all this year. It hasn’t been swelling up or anything.”

Thompson won the East Region 100 meters with a time of 10.89 seconds, just .01 seconds better than West Fargo senior Shane Siverson. He also won the 200 in 22.27 seconds. His fastest time in the 200 is 21.99, which ranks second-best in the state. His 10.89 mark in the 100 is third-fastest in the state.

“It helped me boost my confidence,” Thompson said of the East Region meet. “My tough competition has come from Shane Siverson all year. He has pushed me past my limits and made me run so much faster, especially in the 100 meters. He gave me quite the scare (Saturday).”

Sem has put together a decorated season as well and has the fastest state-qualifying time in the 800 at 1 minute, 54.85 seconds and the second-fastest time in the 400 (49.24), just two-hundredths of a second slower than Bismarck Century’s Drew Wiseman.

“My track season has been going pretty well,” Sem said. “I have enjoyed it and I’ve had a lot of success, except I haven’t beaten my personal record in the 400 meters yet.”

Mix is a sports reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: high school track and field, fargo north, sports