Linn-Mar, Marion boys eye state track crowns
The city of Marion could become the state capital for boys track in Iowa next week.
The Linn-Mar Lions and Marion Indians will be taking strong contingents to the state track meet in Des Moines, with the Lions among the favorites in Class 4A and the surging Indians among the top picks in Class 3A.
Linn-Mar has firepower at the top of its lineup and is seeded first or second in seven events. Marion has impressive depth, having qualified in 15 of 18 events, giving the Indians a good chance of finishing near the top of the team standings.
"I would say if we're not in the top two or three I'd be pretty disappointed," said Marion Coach Scott Immerfall.
In fact, Immerfall thinks the Indians could make a run for the roses and the Class 3A state title.
"I think we could. I think it's a possibility," he said. "If the kids run to their ability, I think we could do it. I think we've got a shot at it."
Marion failed to qualify in just three events, with nobody in the 400 meter dash, the 400 low hurdles or the long jump. The Indians will have at least one entry in every other event and they'll have two entries in the 800 meter run and shot put.
Lukas Mees is seeded No. 1 in the 3200 meter run for Marion and Justin Dolley is seeded No. 2 in the discus. The Indians are also seeded No. 1 in the 4x200 relay.
The Linn-Mar Lions have strong credentials with Josh Evans and Brandon Ophoff both seeded No. 1 in two events. Evans led all state qualifiers Thursday in the 1600 and 3200, while Ophoff tops the charts in the 110 high hurdles and 400 low hurdles.
The Lions are seeded No. 2 in the 4x400 relay, 4x800 relay and shuttle hurdle relay. All told, they qualified in 12 out of 18 events.
Cedar Rapids Prairie is seeded No. 1 in the 4x400 relay and the distance medley with the same quartet of Austin Dellamuth, Jarred Edmonds, Jacob Aune and Demetrius Harper in both events. They won the 4x400 relay at the Drake Relays last month and will be looking to repeat at the state meet. Aune is seeded No. 2 in the 3200 behind Evans.
Timauntay Jones of Jefferson is seeded No. 1 in the 800 meter run, Alec Clasen of Xavier is tied for the No. 1 seed in the high jump, Nick Corbett of Washington is No. 2 in the 400 and Derek Jacobus of Kennedy is No. 2 in the long jump.
CLASS 4A QUALIFIERS
LINN-MAR (12 events): Chase Grabau (800), Jabez Walker (800), Josh Evans (1600, 3200), Daniel Murphy (1600), Brandon Ophoff (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles), Mike Keiser (110 hurdles), Jack Halupnik (shot put), 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, distance medley, shuttle hurdle relay.
WASHINGTON (12 events): Will Griffin (100), Mitch Bredeson (100), Nick Corbett (400), Robert Hogg (800), Etienne Nzoyisaba (1600, 3200), Drake Hickok (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles), Forest Vega (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles), 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, distance medley.
XAVIER (11 events): Nick Steingreaber (100), Nick Ball (200), Noah Clasen (400 hurdles), Alec Clasen (high jump), Craig Murtha (discus, shot put), 4x100, 4x200, 4x800, distance medley, shuttle hurdle relay.
JEFFERSON (11 events): Nate Karlan (100, 200), Timauntay Jones (400, 800), Taylor Mueller (3200), Savaun Bounds (110 hurdles), Lucas Vanous (400 hurdles), Sam Techau (discus), 4x100, 4x200, 4x400.
PRAIRIE (8 events): Demetrius Harper (100), Austin Dellamuth (400), Mitch Pritts (1600, 3200), Jacob Aune (3200), Sam Manternach (discus), 4x400, distance medley, shuttle hurdle relay.
KENNEDY (6 events): John Koelling (200), Willie Rhodes (high jump), Derek Jacobus (long jump), 4x200, distance medley, shuttle hurdle relay.
CLASS 3A QUALIFIERS
MARION (15 events): Derek Williams (100, 200), Greg Sam (800), Brennen Kelly (800), Lukas Mees (1600, 3200), Isaac Frazier (high jump), Justin Dolley (discus, shot put), Zach Borens (shot put), Taylor Rogers (110 hurdles), 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, distance medley, shuttle hurdle relay.
