ABOVE: Jeff Schlomann, who has assisted Fairmont Track and Field at their home meets for 30 years, is this years Sentinel Relay honorary referee.

FAIRMONT – At the 69th Sentinel Relays Track and Field event Friday, a man who has been with Fairmont Track and Field since the 70s will be the honorary referee.

Jeff Schlomann competed in relays from 1972 to 1976 for Fairmont. He participated in what are now called the 100 and 200-meter sprint relays.

“Everything was in yards at that time and not meters,” Schlomann said.

When he was a competitor, Schlomann said the experience of racing was exhilarating.

“Loved to do it,” he said. “It’s an individual sport, you felt that competition was always stiff throughout our area. Satisfaction of running those open events and also with teammates, we always had very excellent sprint relays. Fairmont was very competitive in the track and field at that time.”

Even now, Schlomann said he still gets the itch to compete.

“When they’re starting the races and getting into the starting blocks, I still have the two-second timer in my head for when the gun goes off,” he said.

His competitiveness then set him up for a collegiate running career as well, competing for Minnesota State University Mankato from 1977 to 1980. Schlomann said the competition was steep across the board.

“High school was very competitive throughout our region,” he said. “When you got to the collegiate level, you were narrowed down. Everybody is better than you usually when you get funneled in.”

For the last 40 years, Schlomann has worked as an Insurance Agent for Farm Bureau. Track and Field never left his mind, however, and for three decades he has been a key part of Fairmont home meets.

“When I first started with the relays, I helped out with setting people up at the starts, moving the blocks around, working with timers,” he said. “Now I work mainly with the setting athletes up at the starting line so they’re in the right lanes at the right time.”

The dedication to do so stems from Schlomann’s goal to be there for the community that cheered him on.

“Something to give back to the community,” he said. “I like doing it and working with the student-athletes. If it wasn’t for the staff and volunteer time to put into these relays, there wouldn’t be relays. I’m glad people step up and wish to do that.”

While much has changed in the last 30 years, not much has for Schlomann at the race track. The one big difference is automatic timing and scoring.

“They got rid of hand timing, and now it’s all computerized timing,” he said. “It’s fantastic to have automatic timing. It’s more precise and takes pictures at the end of the race, so you don’t have human error.”

Schlomann said the nice thing about the Sentinel Relays is how it brings athletes from all of Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa to compete and increase competition.

“There’s going to be some great,” he said. “[I’m] seeing old friends also. It’s great to see classmates of mine whose grandkids are running.”

When he found out he had been chosen to be the honorary referee, Schlomann said he was speechless.

“I appreciate somebody nominating me for being the honorary referee,” he said. “It’s very humbling to experience, it’s nice to be honored.”

Speaking to why they chose him, Fairmont’s Activities Director, Mat Mahoney, said, “Jeff is in our top 10 in a couple events. He’s been a servant leader for us working the chute for many years as a volunteer. He’s a well-respected community member that’s gone above and beyond for us out here at the high school.”

Schlomann is tied for second all-time in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.2 seconds.

Looking forward, Schlomann said he wants to continue supporting Track and Field, even if Fairmont isn’t his main home.

“I bought a place on the North Shore Duluth,” he said. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be hanging out. I’ll keep a place here and in the springtime, I’ll be glad to come back and help at home meets.”

The Sentinel Relay will run Friday starting at 4 p.m.