Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Every athlete wants a strong senior season.

City High’s Zach Jones already experienced his senior breakthrough in the form of an all-state football season last fall.

Jones was among the most productive wide receivers in the state this fall and has college football career ahead of him.

Before he focuses on his football future Jones is intent on closing his final year at City High with one more impressive senior season.

Jones will aim to carry the momentum from the football field to the track this spring as he attempts to close his career with his best season yet.

“I’m just a lot more thirsty than last year,” Jones said. “We have a lot of guys back and we all have chemistry and we are all pushing each other. It’s motivating and I think I’m capable of a lot more.”

In football and track Jones was solid leading up to his senior season.

As a junior he led City High with 39 receptions for 556 yards and qualified for the state track meet in four events while earning a pair of top-four finishes.

Jones made a big jump on the gridiron this fall grabbing 77 passes for 1,045 yards and 10 touchdowns.

City High coach Mike Moore sees that same type of success coming for Jones on the track.

“I really believe he is one of the top track athletes in the state right now,” Moore said. “He is so versatile, he has a lot of range in what he can do.”

Jones showed glimpses of his talent and versatility last season qualifying for state in the 400 and three relays.

This spring Jones is continuing to branch out.

He won the 100 and 400 hurdles at the Little Hawks season-opening meet at Washington last week and plans to continue his work on the City High relay teams.

“I just like to win,” Jones said. “It’s still the same, whatever the team needs I’ll do it.  I think we are trying to focus in on what we have and what we can take the furthest. Whatever that is I’m happy to do it.”
Jones will do a lot during this season, everything from sprints to hurdles and relays.

Exactly what Jones is doing in the postseason will depend on his teammates.

“A lot of what we are going to do this year is going to dictated by what we can surround him with,” Moore said. “If we can get some guys to step up in the shuttle and we can run a 56 mid or low that’s a low impact event for him. That 4×100 is another low impact and we proved that last year when we have some guys around him he’s pretty tough, one of the best.”

Part of what has Jones so excited for his final go around on the track is those teammates that surround him.

City High features a strong group of runners around Jones including junior Daniel Brown and senior Lucas Firmstone who joined Jones on last year’s 4×400 relay team that placed third at state in 3:18.87.

“We all see each other getting better so I feel like that will push us even more,” Jones said. “We are more thirsty than last year.”

With seniors JP Rethwisch and Jimmy Momberg also in the mix possibility exists for some exciting City High relay combinations.

“JP Rethwisch, Lucas Firmstone, Jimmy Momberg, Daniel Brown those are four guys right there that compliment Zach in a lot of different ways so we are really hoping that those guys continue to grow like Zach is because they are every bit as important to what we are doing as Zach is,” Moore said. “We are just excited that we have the kind of kids to surround him with.”  

Jones has high goals.

He wants to return to state in four events and wants an individual title and a championship in the 4×400.

Most importantly he wants to leave City High following his best season yet as a performer and leader.

“Being more of a leader is important to me,” Jones said. “Last year I was always looking up to the older guys but I can do the same thing this year for the other guys. Just showing them how to put the work in.”