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When McCluer North’s Aaron Mallett began practice this week for his senior track season, he was already one victory ahead of the competition. Mallett was selected to participate in the prestigious Brooks PR Invitational, presumably after winning the 60-meter hurdles in 8.0 seconds in January at the Arkansas High School Invitational. He was invited to attend the first-class event in Seattle and enjoyed a once in a lifetime moment. At the Brooks PR, Mallett dipped below his personal best with a 7.8 in the prelims, and he came back and won the finals with a 7.0 effort. That was after a rocky start out of the blocks and clipping four hurdles. Mallett said he believes that victory has prepared him to do some even bigger things this spring racing for the Stars, especially in the 110-meter hurdles. “I ran some pretty fast times (this winter), and my only competition was at Brooks,” Mallett said. “I’m thinking the 110s (benefit the most) because I have a close, not a start.” As a junior, Mallett won the Class 4 state title in the 110s in 14.14, and he was second in the 300 hurdles in 37.86. Those times came at the end of a season during which he was hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in the first week of practice. Now healthy and in great condition following a winter indoor season, Mallett said it comes down to improving his technique if he’s going to take down a couple state records. “My technique is pretty good, but I’m working on my shuffle between hurdles,” Mallett said. “I want my steps to get smooth and quick in between the hurdles. Now it’s all technique and fluidity through the hurdles and taking what was working indoor and trying to transfer it to outdoor.” Mallett had a familiar opponent pushing him at Brooks PR. Former McCluer North teammate Freddie Crittenden ran with Mallett for two years before he moved to the Detroit area following his sophomore season. Crittenden pushed Mallett in the finals and ended up in second place in 7.82 seconds. McCluer North coach Tom Dowling said he watched Mallett and the winter season he put together, but Dowling said already knew Mallett was primed for a stellar senior season after last spring. “Winning at that high-level competition was good for him,” Dowling said. “And he’s worked extremely hard in the off season.” Mallett, who owns a PR of 13.88 in the 110s, signed with the University of Iowa to study physical therapy.
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